Blackhawks 3, Panthers 2 (SO)
Captain Jonathan Toews scored in the second period and recorded a goal in the first round of the shootout as visiting Chicago edged Florida.
Bryan Bickell had a goal in the second period and Patrick Sharp also converted in the third round of the bonus format. Corey Crawford turned aside 20 shots and was perfect in the shootout for the Blackhawks, who extended their point streak to six games (5-0-1).
Tomas Fleischmann and defenseman Dmitry Kulikov scored 2:47 apart in the middle of the third period for Florida. Tim Thomas made 25 saves before leaving with an apparent lower-body injury with 2:59 left in regulation and Jacob Markstrom stopped both shots he faced.
Thomas stopped all 12 shots in the first period and his teammates blocked 14 others as the Panthers kept the game scoreless through 20 minutes. Toews gave Chicago the lead 5:18 into the second on the power play, going to the right side of the net and knocking home defenseman Duncan Keith’s diagonal pass.
Bickell had a shot blocked, but was first to the rebound at the left faceoff circle before hammering a shot past Thomas' glove with 3:11 left in the second. But Fleishmann swept home a pass from rookie Aleksander Barkov 9:04 into the third period and Kulikov stole a poor clear by Keith and beat Crawford from the top of the left faceoff circle.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Barkov, the second pick in the 2013 draft, has seven points in his first 10 NHL games. … Crawford made a right pad save to smother a penalty shot opportunity for Calder Trophy winner Jonathan Huberdeau in the second period. … The Blackhawks have gained at least a point in seven of the last eight meetings (6-1-1) against Florida.