Panik's late goal powers Blackhawks to victory
OTTAWA -- Richard Panik's power play goal with 3:01 left in regulation was the winner as the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Ottawa Senators 2-1 at Canadian Tire Centre on Thursday.
Panik squeezed a high shot past Mike Condon from just below the left wing circle after taking a pass from Patrick Kane. It was his 18th of the season.
The win was the third in a row for the Blackhawks (45-20-5) while the Senators (39-23-7) suffered there second straight defeat after a six-game winning streak.
Condon and Blackhawks goalie Scott Darling were exceptional, making 26 and 33 saves, respectively.
Duncan Keith also scored for the Blackhawks, while Kyle Turris had the Senators goal.
Keith finally broke the ice at 8:04 of the third period with his sixth of the season. His point shot was stopped by Condon, but the rebound hit two players jostling in front and sent the puck rolling under the goalie and finally just over the line.
Turris tied it up again at the 11:23 mark, 12 seconds after Brent Seabrook went off for tripping. His one-timer slap shot from the left wing circle was teed up by Erik Karlsson. The goal was Turris' 23rd of the season.
Both teams registered 13 shots on goal during a first period that featured a number of good saves. Condon's best was off Nick Schmaltz, who broke through the middle on a power play rush. Darling was especially sharp kicking out a Mike Hoffman shot off the right wing.
The Blackhawks outshot the Senators 9-8 in a second period that featured more stellar goaltending.
NOTES: Blackhawks RW Marian Hossa, a first round pick of the Senators in 1997, played his 1,300th game. ... Blackhawks RW John Hayden played his first NHL game. ... Blackhawks healthy scratches were RW Tomas Jurco, D Michal Rozsival, D Michael Kempny and C Dennis Rasmussen. ... Senators G Craig Anderson didn't dress for the second straight game because of a lower-body injury, but continues to practice. Coach Guy Boucher ruled him out for this weekend's games against the Montreal Canadiens but said he was "possible" for Tuesday's visit to Boston. ... Senators healthy scratches were F Chris DiDomenico and D Jyrki Jokipakka ...