The Chicago Blackhawks turned the tables on the Buffalo Sabres on Monday as they earned their first victory since their Stanley Cup win in June.
The 4-3 win came after two consecutive losses in the season opener games and after speculations about the faltering prowess of the team. The Blackhawks scored four straight goals to put an end to their winless pattern and brightening up their prospects in the coming games.
The Blackhawks adopted an offensive strategy after seeing their defense play crumbling in the first two games. After taking a 2-0 lead, Sabres' right wing Patrick Kane rallied from behind and scored on a wrister at 7:44 in the first period.
Nick Leddy went on to tie the game in the second period and it appeared that the home team would ultimately clinch a lead. The speculation was put to rest by Marian Hossa of the Blackhawks who scored two straight goals, one in the second and another at 3:36 in the third period thus ensuring the 4-2 lead for his team.
Tim Connolly of the Sabres scored a goal with a wrister at 5:24 in the third period to bring his team closer to victory, or at least a level game but failed to sustain his performance.
The Sabres started the game exceptionally well with Drew Stafford converting a slap shot just 14 seconds into the game; Derek Roy followed with a wrister at 2:43 but failed to score. Sabres' right wing Jason Pominville suffered a concussion in the first period and taken off the ice on a stretcher.
