Daze Gets the Job Done

Chicago’s Eric Daze did what big forwards are supposed to do Monday: drive hard to the net. It paid off for the Chicago Blackhawks at Montreal.

Daze swept in and backhanded the rebound of linemate Alexei Zhamnov’s long shot into an open side with 3:49 left in the third period to lift the Blackhawks (3-2) to a 2-1 victory over the Canadiens (2-2-1).

“It wasn’t really a two-on-one, but the defense went after Alex and I was going hard to the net,” Daze said. “I used my six-foot-five reach right there to score.”

Blackhawk goaltender Mark Fitzpatrick made 19 saves in his first game since being traded from Tampa Bay in the off-season.

Nashville 2, Toronto 2--In the Predators’ first and only appearance at Maple Leaf Gardens, they battled the Maple Leafs to a tie.

Fredrik Modin’s goal at 13:51 of the second period salvaged the point for the Maple Leafs (3-1-1). Andrew Brunette had two points for the Predators (1-2-1).

Phoenix 3, Boston 1--Keith Tkachuk scored his first goal and Jeremy Roenick had two assists as the Coyotes defeated the Bruins at Phoenix.

Cliff Ronning and Dallas Drake also scored for the Coyotes (2-1-0), who defeated the Bruins (3-2-1) for the first time in two seasons. The Coyotes posted a 5-4 victory over the Bruins on Feb. 21, 1997.

Bruin goalkeeper Byron Dafoe, who had given up only five goals in his four starts, gave up two goals in the first 21 minutes.

Blackhawks 2, Canadiens 1