The two-game sweep of the NHL starts in Chicago, where the Blackhawks stayed hot with a 5-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens.
For the Habs, it was another disappointing performance and another loss after a brilliant start to the campaign.
“It wasn’t the performance we were looking for after such a hard-fought, emotional game [Saturday] night,” Max Pacioretty, said. “There were some times in the game where it felt like we weren’t at our best [and were] second to the puck. I 
think there [were] just too many times during the game where … we were just a little bit too slow on [the] puck and gave them a little bit too much time and space.”
For Chicago, it was the 11th straight win in their current streak and they are playing well.
“We’re on a bit of a roll right now,” said captain Jonathan Toews, who had two goals and an assist. “It’s great to be playing the way that we’re playing right now, given the fact that these are all very important games and it’s a very busy time of year, obviously. So from now until at least the All-Star break, we’d love to continue that pace and keep the momentum that we have right now.”
Toews scored twice and Marian Hossa, Richard Panik and Patrick Kane scored for the Hawks.
“Great play by [Panarin],” Kane said. “It’s a safe play too. We’re up by one goal there. He chips it in, beats his guy to the puck and throws a great pass over between the guys’ legs. You’re just trying to get it on net and try to surprise the goalie, but great play by Panarin. Great play by [Artem Anisimov] in the defensive zone to get the puck up soon [too].”
Ben Scrivens took the loss for the Habs on 28 saves.
“We just played, first of all, the Stanley Cup champion … and I believe they look better than last year,” Canadiens coach Michel Therrien said. “They play with a lot of confidence. They kill [penalties], they make plays in tight, they have some really quality hockey players over there. They’re tough to play against.”
In Brooklyn, the Vancouver Canucks defeated the Islanders, 2-1, in the skills competition when Radim Vrbata scored in the shootout.
Ryan Miller made 47 saves through 65 minutes of play and stopped all three Islanders shooters he faced.
“They’re a good team, they create a lot,” Miller said of the Islanders. “I was on the right side of the puck tonight for sure, I got some good bounces but I thought I was seeing the puck pretty well.”
Ben Hutton scored for Vancouver in regulation and the Isles’ Ryan Strome scored.
“That was a great game tonight,” Hutton said. “Got my first goal. It felt good and it was a pretty important one, too. … [Miller] was great tonight. I am going to say he stole that game for us. … He was great tonight and he has been great all year.”
“I’m not disappointed in the effort. This is a tough league to win in every night,” Islanders coach Jack Capuano said.
Jaroslav Halak took the loss on 25 saves.
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