Blackhawks Blank Avalanche, Stars Down Blues

By ESPN

Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville is looking for a more complete effort from his team. Pretty much everyone except Corey Crawford.

Hard to argue with the way Crawford is playing right now.

The veteran goaltender made 38 saves in his second shutout in three games, helping the Blackhawks beat the Colorado Avalanche 4-0 on Thursday night for their fourth straight victory.

"Just trying to get better every game," Crawford said. "Feeling good with reading the play. The conditioning's there, too. Feeling sharp every game. I just go out there and battle."

Marian Hossa had two goals, Jonathan Toews also scored and the Blackhawks killed off three more penalties to run their streak to 12 after an awful start to the season. Artemi Panarin added his fifth of the season off a slick pass from Patrick Kane in the third.

Chicago won for the seventh time in nine games, but Quenneville pointed out a couple areas of concern, mostly having to do with puck possession and movement. Of course, he sounded pretty satisfied with the situation in goal.

Colorado dominated parts of the first and second periods, but Crawford was on top of his game again. He stopped Tyson Barrie about 5 minutes into the first, and denied Matt Duchene on a breakaway in the second. He also had a sharp glove save on Barrie at 9:34 of the third.

Stars 6, Blues 2

Tyler Seguin was the consummate setup man Thursday night.

Seguin matched his career high with four assists -- on Dallas' first four goals -- to help the Stars beat the St. Louis Blues 6-2 in a rematch of their playoff series last season.

John Klingberg had two goals for the Stars, including an empty-netter. Patrick Eaves, Stephen Johns, Jason Spezza and Jordie Benn also scored for Dallas. Jamie Benn had three assists.

Though Seguin and Jamie Benn combined for seven assists, their line had only one goal, by Eaves to open the scoring at 6:35 of the second period.

"Probably their best game of the year," Stars coach Lindy Ruff said. "Moved the puck well. Obviously, Tyler played a heck of a game with four assists, Jamie right behind him. Our best players were at the forefront tonight, which was great to see."

To Seguin, the victory was especially significant because it was a Central Division game against the team that eliminated the Stars from the 2016 playoffs.

Seguin had scored three of Dallas' six goals in the previous five games. The Stars matched that total Thursday to end an 0-2-1 skid.

Eaves deflected a shot by Seguin for the first goal.

Seguin set up Jamie Benn for a breakaway, then gathered the rebound after Allen's save and passed out to Klingberg at the right faceoff dot for his first goal this season and a 2-1 lead.

Thursday, November 3 Scoreboard

Toronto 2, Buffalo 1

Philadelphia 3, New York Islanders 2 (SO)

New York Rangers 5, Edmonton 3

Washington 4, Winnipeg 3 (OT)

Ottawa 1, Vancouver 0

Bostdon 4, Tampa Bay 3 (SO)

Florida 4, New Jersey 3 (OT)

Chicago 4, Colorado 0

Dallas 6, St. Louis 2

Arizona 3, Nashville 2 (SO)

Los Angeles 3, Pittsburgh 2 (OT)

Calgary 3, San Jose 2