STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS : Blackhawks Take a 2-0 Lead; They Outshoot Oilers, 45-14

Steve Larmer scored two goals and assisted on Michel Goulet’s game-winner with 3:41 left in regulation to lead the Chicago Blackhawks to a 4-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers and a two-game lead in the Campbell Conference finals.

It was the team-record ninth consecutive playoff victory for Chicago, which has never won more than eight regular-season games in a row. Game 3 in the best-of-seven series is scheduled for Wednesday night at Edmonton.

Larmer, who had two goals and two assists in Game 1, spoiled an outstanding performance by Edmonton goaltender Bill Ranford, who made 41 saves and single-handedly kept the Oilers in the game as the Blackhawks piled up a 45-14 advantage in shots on goal.

Goulet fought off a check and redirected Larmer’s pass behind Ranford to break a 2-2 tie. Stephane Matteau, left alone, picked up Chris Chelios’ dump-in and beat Ranford from the lower right circle with 2:56 remaining.

Larmer led the Blackhawks’ rally after Edmonton took a 2-0 lead by scoring on its first two shots against Ed Belfour. Larmer scored on a power play at 16:35 of the first period, then ended nearly 30 minutes of frustration for the Blackhawks when he beat Ranford with a backhander 5:59 into the third period to tie the score.