National Hockey League
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Chicago 5, New Jersey 2
When: 8:00 PM ET, Monday, December 23, 2013
Where: United Center, Chicago, Illinois
Referees: Steve Kozari, Tim Peel
Linesmen: Andy McElman, Mark Shewchyk
Attendance: 22019


Blackhawks 5, Devils 2: Patrick Sharp scored a pair of goals and red-hot Patrick Kane added a goal to extend his point streak to a career high-tying 12 games for host Chicago.

Defenseman Nick Leddy had a goal and an assist and Bryan Bickell also scored as the Blackhawks improved to 3-0-1 in their last four games. Kane scored his 15th goal in 25 games - a span in which he has failed to hit the scoresheet only once - and Antti Raanta needed to turn aside only 10 shots.

Stephen Gionta and Michael Ryder had goals for New Jersey, which was outshot 37-12 and absorbed its first regulation defeat in five games (3-1-1). Cory Schneider made 32 saves to remain winless in his last five starts (0-3-2).

After Gionta's redirect tied it at 1-1 just over 5 1/2 minutes into the second period, Kane put Chicago ahead to stay by batting a rebound past Schneider 2:20 later. Bickell made it a two-goal edge, snapping a high wrist shot past Schneider from the right dot with 8 1/2 minutes left in the middle session.

Ryder pulled the Devils within a goal by sliding a backhander past Raanta 59 seconds into the third, but Marian Hossa sprung Sharp on a breakaway less than five minutes later before Leddy added a power-play tally with 7:01 to play.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Hossa, LW Brandon Saad and D Brent Seabrook each has two assists for Chicago, which has at least one power-play goal in 11 of its last 12 games. ... Kane, who also had a 12-game point streak earlier this season, has 21 points during his current string. ... Ryder's goal was his 11th of the season and sixth in 11 games this month.
Top Game Performances
 
New Jersey   Chicago
Stephen Gionta 1 Points Patrick Sharp 2
Stephen Gionta 1 Goals Patrick Sharp 2
Jacob Josefson 1 Assists Marian Hossa 2
N/A Power Play Goals Nick Leddy 1
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Cory Schneider .865 Save Percentage Antti Raanta .833
Cory Schneider 32 Saves Antti Raanta 10
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
New Jersey 12 2 0-1 3-4 8 18
Chicago 37 5 1-4 1-1 2 38
Upcoming Games
  • Chicago will play their next game at home against Colorado. The Blackhawks have a W/L % of .654 after a win and .692 after a loss.
  • New Jersey will play their next game at home against Columbus. The Devils have a W/L % of .375 after a win and .409 after a loss.