Patrick Kane helps Blackhawks to fifth victory in row

DALLAS --The Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Dallas Stars 3-2 at American Airlines Center on Saturday for their fifth straight win.
"I don't think anyone realizes we're on a little streak like that," Chicago captain Jonathan Toews said. "We're just focusing on trying to improve every single day. Know that every day, whether we win or not, we always look to the things we want to improve on."

WATCH: All Blackhawks vs. Stars highlights
Patrick Kane had a goal and an assist for the Blackhawks (8-3-1), and Corey Crawford made 31 saves. Richard Panik and Ryan Hartman also scored for Chicago.
Brett Ritchie and Curtis McKenzie scored for the Stars (4-5-2), who play the Blackhawks at United Center on Sunday to complete the home-and-home.
Panik scored on a rebound 11 seconds into the game to give the Blackhawks a 1-0 lead. Kane and Jonathan Toews got the assists when Panik shoved a rebound past goalie Antti Niemi after a sharp-angled shot by Kane.
Dallas tied it 1-1 at 7:21 of the first period when Ritchie scored with a wrist shot that went between Crawford's glove and body with Radek Faksa screening the Chicago goalie.
McKenzie gave the Stars a 2-1 lead when he scored at 9:49 of the first period. Stephen Johns took a point shot that was stopped by Crawford, but McKenzie scored on the rebound. Gemel Smith got an assist for his first NHL point.

Hartman tied the game 2-2 at 2:59 of the second period on a slap shot during a delayed penalty.
Kane one-timed a pass from Artem Anisimov into a half-empty net on the power play to make it 3-2 at 7:40 of the second period. The assist extended Anisimov's point streak to 10 games.
"It was a great play by [Anisimov] at the net, finally came out on the weak side there," Toews said. "We've had some timely goals and been playing well at 5-on-5, and that's been carrying over into our special teams."
Niemi made 29 saves.
Dallas center Jason Spezza left the game in the second period with a lower-body injury. Coach Lindy Ruff said Spezza will miss a "little bit of time" and the Stars will have to recall a forward from the American Hockey League.

Goal of the game

Panik's goal 11 seconds into the game put Chicago on the right track after it had started slowly the past few games. Dallas won the opening faceoff, but Kane quickly stole the puck, and Panik scored after Niemi couldn't control the rebound of Toews' shot. "It was nice," Toews said. "We want to start games strong. It gets you going a little bit more confident."

Save of the game

Crawford stopped Tyler Seguin's backhand with 5:25 remaining in the first period to keep Chicago within a goal. Jamie Benn set up the chance with a spinning backhand pass. Seguin made a couple moves but couldn't get it past Crawford's blocker.

Highlight of the game

Chicago went 1-for-6 on the power play but converted for the game-winning goal in the second period. Anisimov wasn't able to get off a shot from the front of the net, but he got it across the slot to Kane, who easily scored past Niemi.

Unsung moment of the game

Dallas had an opportunity to tie the game late when Marcus Kruger was called for high sticking with 1:49 remaining. The Stars pulled Niemi and had a 6-on-4 advantage for the rest of the game, but they couldn't beat Crawford. "You don't want to be in that situation at the end, but our guys played it really well," Crawford said. "They stayed patient, especially with the extra man on for them. Our PK has been really confident of late. That was another solid win for us."

They said it

"We've got to finish a few of those plays. Hopefully have the same type of energy. I thought the first and third period we had real good energy." -- Stars coach Lindy Ruff on what they need to do in the second half of the home-and-home
"It makes all the difference in the world. When you have a guy in front, screening the goalie, I think it's a way different game as a goalie when you have someone there. … He has a lot of skill around the net, and that was a good play there." -- Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford on Artem Anisimov's net-front work

Need to know

Stars forward Jiri Hudler (illness) missed the game and isn't expected to play Sunday. … Blackhawks forward Andrew Desjardins (foot) was taken off injured reserve Saturday and could make his season debut Sunday.

What's next

Blackhawks: Home against the Dallas Stars on Sunday (7 p.m. ET; TVA Sports, WGN, FS-SW, NHL.TV)
Stars: At the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday (7 p.m. ET; TVA Sports, WGN, FS-SW, NHL.TV)