Blackhawks win team-record 12th straight, top Predators 4-1

It’s good the Blackhawks have improved away from the United Center because seven of their next eight games, including tonight’s contest, are on the road.

Crawford, the Blackhawks’ goalie, will have to watch for their momentum and drive to start their winning streak though Crawford is having a successful individual season as well. They beat the record of 11 wins by the 2012-13 Blackhawks team.

Kerby Rychel had a goal and an assist, and Boone Jenner and Ryan Murray also scored for the Blue Jackets, who failed in their quest to win three successive games for the first time this season. “It seems like and feels like in this room that right after the game, it’s done and on to the next one”. The Blackhawks have netted the game’s first marker 33 times overall this season (most of any team in the league).

“Whether (the NHL) is figuring them out or not, they’re figuring themselves out as well”, Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said. They left the music city with 12 straight wins and a new franchise record in win streaks.

In Columbus, Ohio, Nicklas Backstrom scored twice, Alex Ovechkin had a goal and an assist and Braden Holtby earned his league-leading 30th win to lift NHL-best Washington past last-placed Columbus. He is already topping his best career shutouts record from last season, notching six before the All-Star break, but his ability to take the ice before the puck drops gives Chicago a good foundation.

The Predators couldn’t get the puck past Crawford after Ellis’ goal.

Laviolette defended Rinne and pointed out other mistakes by the Predators.

Rick Nash, NYR vs. VAN ($23) – Nash’s 4.6-shot per game pace over the last five far exceeds his season-long mark of 3.3, and the prolific regular-season scorer figures to capitalize on his increased aggressiveness soon enough.

Kings 3, Stars 2: Milan Lucic scored the tiebreaking goal early in the third period and Anze Kopitar added two assists to his recent scoring tear during Los Angeles’ victory over Dallas. After a 5-2 win against the Montreal Canadiens on January 17, Chicago is now at the top of their division with an 11-game winning streak. – Brian Boyle scored a go-ahead, short-handed goal in the third period as Tampa Bay won its sixth straight. Mats Zuccarello tied the game in the third period for the Rangers, who outshot the Canucks 49-20.

Marcus Johansson added a goal and an assist, and Jason Chimera and Andre Burakovsky also scored for the Capitals, off to the best start in franchise history at 35-8-3.