Blackhawks Top Panthers

     The Florida Panthers went up against the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night at United Center and lost 3-2. The Cats have picked up one point out of a possible six in their last three games. The Hawks have been victorious in four of their last six games.
     In the first period, both teams got on the scoreboard quickly. Patrick Kane connected a pass to Artem Anisimov at the top of the Panthers zone. He skated through the right circle, around Steven Kampfer and then snapped in a shot from the top of the crease for a Chicago[4-3-3] l-O lead at 4:O2.
     Florida[3-3-l] responded 34 seconds later to tie the game at l-l. Vincent Trocheck jammed at the puck several times in the blue paint before it went by Corey Crawford.
     The Blackhawks scored with the man advantage at 3:5l of the second period. Brent Seabrook ripped a slapshot from the top of the zone following a pass by Artemi Panarin from the left circle.
     Kane, who was injured in a game against the Panthers earlier this year against and missed the rest of the regular season, got payback in the third period. He scored l7 seconds in on the power play with a backhand shot to give Chicago a 3-l cushion.
     The Panthers crawled back into the contest as they scored on their own power play at 7:24. Jaromir Jagr compiled his fifth goal of the season on a wrist shot. He passed Joe Sakic for l3rd all-time in NHL history with his 2O5th power-play goal.