ST. LOUIS – The wins keep coming for the Chicago Blackhawks. Still, goalie Ray Emery is taking a realistic approach to their record-setting start.
“I know we’re not going to go unbeaten,” he said.
The way the Blackhawks are going, Emery may be selling his team short.
Jonathan Toews scored twice, and Emery and Corey Crawford combined on a shutout as the Blackhawks extended their NHL-record season-opening points streak to 20 games with a 3-0 win over the St. Louis Blues on Thursday night.
Andrew Shaw also scored for Chicago, which was coming off a 6-0-1 homestand and improved to 9-0-2 on the road. The Blackhawks, who have won seven in a row overall, have earned 37 out of a possible 40 points this season with a 17-0-3 start.
Chicago has a point in its last 26 regular-season games since a 6-1 loss on March 25, 2012 to Nashville. The Blackhawks, playing their first road game in 18 days, have won four in a row against St. Louis.
Crawford was pulled with an upper-body injury after making six saves in the first period. He missed four games earlier this month also with an upper-body injury and returned to the lineup Sunday, making 28 stops in a 1-0 win over Columbus.
Emery made 15 saves over the final two periods, as he and Crawford finished with 21.
“It’s kind of cool to be mentioned in history,” Emery said. “But we’ve just got to continue to play well.”
Emery was sharp in relief of Crawford. He stopped Chris Stewart from close range midway through the second period. Kevin Shattenkirk hit the post on a second-period power play.
Toews scored his eighth goal of the season just 12 seconds into the game off a cross-ice pass from Brandon Saad. Marian Hossa started the play after Toews won the game’s opening faceoff.
Toews also scored on a scramble in the front of the net at 6:53 of the third period. But it was Toews’ early goal that set the tone.
Red Wings 2, Sharks 1 (SO)
In San Jose, Damen Brunner scored the lone goal in a shootout and Jonas Gustavsson stopped all three shots in his first start of the season to lead Detroit to its third win in four games by beating the struggling Sharks.
Bruins 2, Senators 1 (OT)
In Boston, Patrice Bergeron’s goal at 3:39 of overtime, awarded after a replay review, lifted the Bruins over Ottawa.
Hurricanes 4, Penguins 1
In Raleigh, North Carolina, Jiri Tlusty had two goals and an assist as the hosts beat Pittsburgh.
Rangers 4, Lightning 1
In New York, Carl Hagelin and Derek Stepan scored in a one-sided first period, and the suddenly healthy Rangers snapped a four-game losing streak.
Maple Leafs 5, Islanders 4 (OT)
In Uniondale, New York, Nazem Kadri had his first career hat trick and Dion Phaneuf scored at 1:11 of overtime to lift Toronto.
Avalanche 5, Flames 4
In Denver, Gabriel Landeskog had a goal and two assists for triumphant Colorado.
Sabres 4, Panthers 3 (SO)
In Sunrise, Florida, Nathan Gerbe scored his first two goals of the season, Ryan Miller made 38 saves and Buffalo beat the struggling Panthers in a shootout.
Jets 3, Devils 1
In Winnipeg, Andrew Ladd scored 8 seconds into the game, tying a franchise record, and finished with two goals and an assist to lead the Jets over New Jersey.
Wild 4, Coyotes 3
In Glendale, Arizona, Dany Heatley scored two goals and Minnesota used a rare offensive outburst to hold off Phoenix.
Oilers 5, Stars 1
In Dallas, Ales Hemsky had a goal and two assists and Jeff Petry added a goal and an assist as Edmonton downed the Stars.
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