Richard Panik scored a power-play goal with 3 minutes, 1 second remaining and Scott Darling made 33 saves in a spot start to lift the Chicago Blackhwaks to a 2-1 win against the Ottawa Senators on Thursday at Canadian Tire Centre.
Chicago (45-20-5) won their third consecutive game and moved three points clear of second-place Minnesota in the Central Division. Minnesota fell 3-1 to Carolina on Thursday.
After two scoreless periods, Duncan Keith with a snipe from the right circle at 8:04 of the third period. Senators goaltender Mike Condon made the initial stop, but the puck rolled into the net after bouncing off a defender’s skate as rookie Nick Schmaltz pressured the net.