Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Bryan Smolinski scored the winning goal two
minutes into the third period, as the Chicago Blackhawks edged the Montreal
Canadiens, 2-1, to renew an Original Six rivalry at the United Center.
"It doesn't matter who scores or who makes the saves," Smolinski said. "The
idea is to get two points."
Martin Havlat scored the other goal for the Blackhawks, who won their second
straight. Tony Salmelainen and Jeff Hamilton assisted on Smolinski's goal.
Christopher Higgins scored the lone goal for the Canadiens, who have dropped
two of three, but lost their first game in regulation this season. Michael
Ryder and Mark Streit assisted on the goal.
Nikolai Khabibulin made 28 saves for Chicago, while David Aebischer had 21 for
Montreal.
After taking a centering pass from Salmelainen from behind the net, Smolinski
scored with a snap shot from the slot at the two-minute mark of the third to
win
the game for Chicago, which escaped the final two minutes playing short-
handed.
Just 49 seconds into the game, Havlat slid a backhand shot through Aebischer's
legs for an early 1-0 Blackhawks lead.
Higgins tied the score, 1-1, on a wrister rebounded off his own shot 17:56
into the first.
"We had our chances early and [Nikolai] Khabibulin made the difference,"
Higgins said.
Chicago finished 0-for-7 on the power play, while Montreal was 0-for-6.
