Blackhawks End Winless Streak

The Chicago Blackhawks probably wouldn't mind playing all their games in Madison Square Garden.

The Blackhawks extended their road mastery over the New York Rangers with a 3-1 victory Friday night that gave them a 5-0-1 record at the Garden dating back to 1992.

Goaltender Jocelyn Thibeault, traded to Chicago from Montreal earlier this season, has also enjoyed his visits to New York.

"I always like to play against them, especially here in Madison Square Garden," said Thibeault after a solid 31-save performance. "I played a lot of games against them in Montreal. I really like to come here all the time.

"There's a lot of atmosphere. Even though it's a regular-season game, it's always rocking. It's good for a goalie because you're always in the game and the crowd is right beside you."

Mike Maneluk's third-period goal snapped a 1-1 tie and ended the Blackhawks' seven-game winless streak.

Maneluk took advantage of a bad line change by New York to skate in alone on goalie Mike Richter and beat him at 4:48 of the third period with a wrist shot from 12 feet for his fifth. Tony Amonte scored his 24th at 19:57 for the final margin.

"The guys regrouped in the third period and came out and really went after it," said Chicago coach Dirk Graham. "That's what you have to do, especially on the road."

The victory was only the fourth in 21 road games for Chicago this season.

"Thibault was very good," said Graham. "That's what you need on the road, good goaltending."

Chicago took a 1-0 lead 1:10 into the game when Doug Gilmour snuck in behind the defense and redirected a pass from Nelson Emerson past Richter.

"e have to be sharper early," said Richter. "We have to put them on their heels. We have to be more prepared early. I don't think it's a lack of respecting opponents because we've done that against good teams and bad teams. It's one thing we've been consistent in."

New York stormed back in the second period, taking 18 shots and forcing Thibault to make several spectacular saves, including a wicked slap shot from Petr Nedved and a point-blank attempt from John MacLean.

New York tied the score 1-1 on Marc Savard's sixth goal just as Chicago had finished killing a penalty. Savard pounced on the rebound of Brian Leetch's slap shot at 10:21 and shot the puck past the out-of-position Thibault.

The Rangers were without forward Todd Harvey, sidelined from four-to-six weeks with a strained ligament in his left knee.

Before the game Rangers defenseman Ulf Samuelsson was presented with a silver stick commemorating his 1,000th NHL game.

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