Kane powers Blackhawks to win over Canucks

NEW YORK — Patrick Kane extended his career-high point streak to 26 games and Chicago goaltender Corey Crawford recorded his second consecutive shutout as the Blackhawks beat the Vancouver Canucks 4-0 at home Sunday. Crawford stopped all 30 shots he faced against the Canucks (11-12-8). He has allowed two goals in his last four starts for the Blackhawks (17-10-4). Kane had a secondary assist on defenseman Duncan Keith’s first period goal. The right-winger has 17 goals and 24 assists during the streak, the longest in the NHL since Mats Sundin had a 30-game point streak for the Quebec Nordiques during the 1992-93 season. Depth has been a key to Hawks’ power-play success, Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said. “Right now, we have two units,” the coach said. “No matter who’s fresh, (they’re) going out there. Before, it was almost like the one unit would always start. This year it’s more who’s fresh, who’s ready to go–and (we’re) getting equal production. Both units are dangerous.” The Hawks’ success has bred confidence. “I still think we have a shoot-first mentality,” Quenneville said, “and that can help as well as looking for the perfect play. It’s been effective. (There have) been some nice plays along the way. But it still originates from thinking shot at the top and blasting away.” Islanders 4, Devils 0 Marek Zidlicky scored twice, Thomas Greiss made 27 saves, and the New York Islanders remained hot with a 4-0 home victory against the New Jersey Devils. John Tavares and Matt Martin also scored for the Islanders, who won their third straight and their seventh in eight. They have recorded at least a point in 10 consecutive games (8-0-2). Avalanche 3, Blues 1 Semyon Varlamov stopped 42 of 43 shots to carry the Colorado Avalanche to a 3-1 road win over the St. Louis Blues. First-period goals by right-winger Jack Skille and center John Mitchell supplied the offense as the Avalanche kept the Blues without back-to-back victories since a three-game winning streak from Nov. 4-10. — Agencies