Blackhawks edge Penguins 2-1
PITTSBURGH -- Artem Anisimov scored the go-ahead goal Saturday night as the Chicago Blackhawks continued their dominating run against the Pittsburgh Penguins with a 2-1 win at PPG Paints Arena.
Gustav Forsling also scored for Chicago (10-8-2), which has won eight in a row against Pittsburgh, including a 10-1 pasting in the teams' first meeting this season on Oct. 5.
Anisimov's goal in the second period came 21 seconds after Matt Hunwick scored short-handed to tie it for the Penguins (11-8-3).
It was the first home regulation loss for Pittsburgh, which is 6-1-1 at PPG Paints Arena.
Chicago goaltender Corey Crawford left briefly at 8:43 of the second period after he got clipped by Evgeni Malkin.
Crawford had left the crease and was near the left post when Malkin flew past. It appeared Malkin's knee made contact with Crawford’s head. Malkin got a minor goalie interference penalty.
Crawford finished with 35 saves. In his brief appearance, backup Anton Forsberg did not face any shots.
Pittsburgh goaltender Matt Murray made 36 saves.
Forsling got the only goal of the first period. Off a faceoff on a power play, he launched a shot from the inner edge of the left circle that squirted through Murray's pads at 12:32.
Rookie Alex DeBrincat's assist on the goal extended his point streak to four games.
The Penguins tied it at 8:00 of the second period on Matt Hunwick's short-handed goal.
Hunwick, who had missed the previous 15 games because of a concussion, sneaked in a short-side shot from the lower half of the right circle. Riley Sheahan got the only assist, giving him a three-game point streak.
On the same Chicago power play, Anisimov lifted the puck just inside the left post to restore the Blackhawks' lead at 8:21.
The Penguins thought they tied it at 11:33 on a shot by Jake Guentzel, but it was ruled that defenseman Olli Maatta interfered with Crawford, nullifying the goal.
NOTES: Chicago D Duncan Keith played after missing practice the previous two days because of illness. ... Pittsburgh D Olli Maatta played despite missing the morning skate because of illness. ... Penguins D Chad Ruhwedel was scratched for the first time since Oct. 7. ... Pittsburgh C Carter Rowney (broken hand) has begun practicing in a non-contact jersey.