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Kane, Havlat lift Blackhawks past Flames

Nov 10, 2008 - 4:07 AM CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Patrick Kane and Martin Havlat recorded a goal and two assists apiece as the Chicago Blackhawks posted their fourth consecutive victory with a 6-1 triumph over the Calgary Flames on Sunday.

Captain Jonathan Toews netted his first goal of the campaign and set up another for Chicago, which has outscored its opponents, 35-17, en route to improving to 6-0-2 at the United Center this season.

Troy Brouwer and Kris Versteeg had a goal and an assist apiece, defenseman Aaron Johnson also tallied and fellow blue-liner Cam Barker notched two assists for the Blackhawks.

Dustin Boyd scored and Miikka Kiprusoff turned aside 21 shots as the Flames fell to 1-4-0 in their last five games.

"I don't know if it was fresher legs or not, but we have had a challenging schedule," Calgary coach Mike Keenan said. "Out to California, then to Columbus and here, now we head to Toronto and then back to California. Eight games in two weeks is challenging."

Eight seemed to be an appropriate number for the Flames. They were 0-for-8 on the power play on Sunday.

"We knew they would be ready and charged up, but we were equally as bad," captain Jarome Iginla said. "We had chances on the power play and didn't capitalize."

"It's nice to win the game, but we can't keep taking that many penalties," Chicago coach Joel Quenneville said. "That is an area we have to get better at. Our penalty killers got us through it and gave us momentum."

With Chicago nursing a 3-1 lead entering the third period, Toews and Versteeg tallied 28 seconds apart to put the game out of reach.

After recording 24 goals and setting up 30 others in 64 games last season, Toews struggled out of the gate this season - notching just seven assists in 12 contests.

Last season's Calder Trophy finalist, Toews unleashed a slap shot in the high slot which handcuffed Kiprusoff. The puck trickled past the Finnish netminder and into the net to give Chicago a 4-1 advantage.

"I thought it might have to be a goal like that, where it would not be pretty but it just goes in," Toews said. "It's a confidence-builder."

"It's huge for us that J.T. finally scored, now we don't have to feed him anymore," Kane said. "We are glad to see him get it."

Toews then set up Versteeg for his third goal of the season, before Brouwer capped the scoring with Chicago's second power-play tally of the game.

"We have to win these final games at home before our long road trip," said Versteeg, who was referring to the Blackhawks' pronounced road trip when the circus visits the Windy City.

"We will travel to some tough buildings. This was a great way to bounce back from our five days off."

Chicago has three more games at home before playing its next six on the road.