BUFFALO, N.Y. — Patrick Lalime made 39 saves, and
Thomas Vanek and Clarke MacArthur scored in the Buffalo Sabres' 2-1 victory over
the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday night.
Lalime, making just his third start of the season in
favor of Ryan Miller, stopped 17 shots in the first period, and extended
Buffalo's shutout sequence to 139 minutes, 51 seconds before Patrick Sharp
tapped in Patrick Kane's pass at the top of the crease 30 seconds into the third
period to make it 2-1.
Lalime also stood strong in the third period when the
Blackhawks fired nine straight shots at him to start the frame, and 16 overall.
Vanek scored a power-play goal for Buffalo (18-9-2),
which won its second straight to finish 3-2 on its five-game homestand.
Cristobal Huet made 31 saves for the Blackhawks (19-8-3),
who continue to struggle offensively. Chicago has scored just 11 times in its
last seven games.
Lalime, playing for the first time since Nov. 21, made
several sparkling saves in the opening period, including a kick save on Brent
Seabrook's one-timer from the left circle. Lalime also denied Marian Hossa's
partial breakaway attempt in the second.
Buffalo's backup came in with a bloated 4.54
goals-against average.
After a scoreless first period, Vanek opened the scoring
with his ninth of the season. After Huet blocked Tim Connolly's shot, Vanek was
able to kick a loose puck to his stick in front of the net before spinning
around and whipping it in to make it 1-0.
MacArthur pushed Buffalo's lead to 2-0 with his ninth
with 1:21 to go in the second. From the low slot near the bottom of the right
circle, MacArthur swatted in Tim Kennedy's cross-ice pass.
Notes
Miller blanked Washington 3-0 on Wednesday night.
… Huet played in his 17th game against the Sabres, the most against any
opponent in his career. … Buffalo RW Mike Grier missed his third game after
his mother passed away. D Chris Butler missed his fourth game because of an
ankle injury. … Lalime played two seasons in Chicago, starting in 2006. …
Chicago hasn't won in Buffalo since December 2001. … The Blackhawks dropped to
5-1-1 against Eastern Conference teams. … Sharp scored his 100th goal with
Chicago.