Goalie Scott Darling makes 25 saves against the Sabres as the Blackhawks win their sixth straight road game.
By Joe Yerdon / NHL.com Correspondent
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Scott Darling made 25 saves and Patrick Kane had a goal and an assist to lead the Chicago Blackhawks to their sixth straight road win, 5-1 against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center on Sunday.
Kane set up Artem Anisimov’s 21st goal of the season 3:29 into the third period to give the Blackhawks a 4-1 lead. Kane scored his 20th goal at 6:36. It is the 10th straight NHL season he has reached the 20-goal mark.
The Blackhawks (36-18-5) have won six of the past seven games. The Sabres (26-24-10) had their three-game winning streak end.
Marian Hossa gave Chicago a 2-1 lead 9:40 into the second period. After a pass from Marcus Kruger, Hossa skated in from the half-board and took a shot that beat Robin Lehner between the legs for his 21st goal. Kruger’s assist was his 100th NHL point.
Jonathan Toews made it 3-1 at 15:26 when he put his own rebound past Lehner for his 12th goal. Toews has 15 points (five goals, 10 assists) in the past 12 games.
Ryan Hartman gave the Blackhawks a 1-0 lead at 13:34 of the first period. Hartman received a pass from Tanner Kero and took a shot that beat Lehner over his shoulder for his 14th goal. Lehner had 32 saves.
Evander Kane made it 1-1 with his 21st goal of the season. Kane shot over Darling’s shoulder after a backhand pass from behind the net by Jack Eichel with six seconds left in the first period.
Buffalo native Patrick Kane netted the Blackhawks fifth goal on his return visit to his hometown.
The Sabres (26-24-10) begin their 5-day mandated break on Monday as the team cannot skate nor practice during this league-imposed timeoff period.
Buffalo returns to action on Saturday and Sunday next week with games in Denver and Glendale, against the Colorado Avalanche and Arizona Coyotes, respectively.