NHL ROUNDUP : Nicholls Gets Four Goals, Two Assists in Blackhawks’ Victory

The defensive-minded Chicago Blackhawks are suddenly on the offensive. Big time.

The normally tight-checking Blackhawks have gone on a scoring binge during a lengthy road trip, getting 20 goals in their last three games.

Brent Sutter scored eight seconds into Sunday’s game against Vancouver and Bernie Nicholls had a four-goal, six-point game as Chicago won, 9-4.

Nicholls also set up two goals by Paul Ysebaert as Chicago scored on nine of 24 shots despite the absence of Joe Murphy, who sat out because of a groin pull.

Sutter’s goal established a Chicago team record for the quickest goal to start a game. Gus Bodnar scored at nine seconds in 1953 against the New York Rangers and Bobby Hull duplicated the time in 1970 against Toronto.

Nicholls, signed as a free agent in the off-season after helping New Jersey reach the Eastern Conference finals last May, now has 14 points in nine games.

“When things are going well, the puck follows you around,” Nicholls said. “I just took advantage of it when it was going my way. You never expect to score nine goals against this hockey team.”

Nicholls had only four shots on goal and scored on all of them, with the first three at the expense of Kirk McLean, the Vancouver starter in goal. McLean, who misplayed Sutter’s first shot of the game, was replaced by backup Kay Whitmore during the second period.

Pittsburgh 3, New Jersey 3--The Penguins’ season-opening seven-game winning streak ended as they gave up a late goal to defenseman Bruce Driver at East Rutherford, N.J.

The winning streak matched the fourth longest at the start of an NHL season.

The Toronto Maple Leafs won 10 consecutive last season to set the record. Five teams have opened with seven consecutive victories, including the Devils last year.

The Penguins got three assists by Ron Francis and a goal and two assists by Jaromir Jagr to come within 6:32 of an eighth victory in a row.

Buffalo 2, Tampa Bay 1--Dominik Hasek allowed a goal on the first shot he faced, then stopped the Lightning’s next 15 attempts at Buffalo.

Donald Audette scored the game winner 1:12 into the third period, tipping Petr Svoboda’s shot past Darren Puppa.

Hasek, the Vezina Trophy winner last season, lowered his league-leading goals against average to 1.33.

Quebec 3, Hartford 1--Joe Sakic continued his hot pace, assisting on two Nordique goals at Quebec.