Blackhawks snap Pens’ 8-game winning streak

Strome’s goal lifts Chicago to win

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

The Chicago Blackhawks gave Pittsburgh a head start — and still grounded the surging Penguins.

Again.

Dylan Strome broke a tie 1:48 into the third period and the Blackhawks beat Pittsburgh 5-3 on Sunday night to end the Penguins’ winning streak at eight games.

“We’re not going to quit, we’re going to play until the end,” Blackhawks coach Jeremy Colliton said. “It certainly wasn’t the start we wanted, we kind of gifted a couple, but credit to those guys in there.

“I was really happy with how hard we competed and it was nice to see the guys get rewarded.”

Strome scored seconds after a power-play expired, beating fallen goalie Casey DeSmith off a pass from Patrick Kane. Jonathan Toews added an empty-net goal and had an assist to run his points streak to six games.

Alex DeBrincat scored on a power play for his 19th of the season, and Chris Kunitz and Duncan Keith both scored their first for the Blackhawks. They won their 10th straight against the Penguins, including five straight in Pittsburgh. The Blackhawks haven’t lost to the Penguins since March 30, 2014, in Pittsburgh.

Chicago snapped a two-game skid and has won three of five and six of nine following an eight-game losing streak in November.

Kane had three assists. He’s the 20th player in NHL history and the first American-born skater to begin his career with at least 12 straight seasons with 30-plus assists. Cam Ward stopped 31 shots.

“It’s nice to beat one of the top teams in the league,” Kane said. “I think we know the recipe for success, the way we need to play and the way the coaches want us to play to be successful. If we do these things, we give ourselves a chance every night.”

Jake Guentzel, Patric Hornqvist and Derick Brassard scored for the Penguins, and DeSmith stopped 26 shots.

Pittsburgh scored twice in the first 4:33.

Hornqvist opened the scoring at 2:43 with a blocker-side, one-timer from the right faceoff dot, and Guentzel gave Pittsburgh a two-goal lead when he swept a rebound underneath Ward from the top of the crease.

Penguins coach Mike Sullivan was happy with his team’s start, but he said his players were “lured into a track meet” the rest of the way against the Blackhawks.

“[Chicago] has a quick transition game and they like to stretch the ice,” Sullivan said. “They’re looking for a quick-strike attack, so you have to make sure you manage the puck. If you don’t take care of the puck, you’re going to play into their hands and play the game they want to play.”