Saad scores in 3rd as Chicago Blackhawks beat Calgary Flames 2-1

CHICAGO — Brandon Saad scored with 7:03 left in the third period, and the Chicago Blackhawks beat the Calgary Flames 2-1 on Sunday night for their 12th victory in the last 14 games.

After motoring past Calgary defenseman Mark Giordano, Saad took a centering pass from Jonathan Toews and lifted a shot past Jonas Hiller's glove.

Toews also set up Patrick Sharp's power-play goal as the surging Blackhawks dealt the Flames their fifth straight loss. Chicago had won eight in a row before Saturday night's 3-2 loss at the New York Islanders.

Jiri Hudler had his team-leading 12th goal for Calgary, which has scored just eight times during its slide.

Sharp's goal was his first since returning Tuesday from a knee injury that sidelined him for 14 games. Sharp, who led Chicago with 34 goals last season, has four this year — all on the power play.

Chicago's Antti Raanta made 23 saves while subbing for Corey Crawford, who is out with a foot injury. Rookie Scott Darling had started the Blackhawks' last four games.

Hiller finished with 26 saves.

Neither team had many chances in the scoreless first period.

Hiller made a sprawling pad save on Andrew Shaw's rebound attempt 6:15 in. Calgary's Johnny Gaudreau danced down the Chicago slot with a series of nifty moves with 7:59 left, but was stopped by Raanta.

Hudler opened the scoring at 4:27 of the second when he trailed in late on a rush and was left open. Hudler took Gaudreau's cross-ice feed and whistled it past Raanta's glove.

Sharp's goal at 8:43 — just nine seconds into a power play — came off a fast passing series with Kane and Toews. From below the goal line, Toews dished across the slot to Sharp, who sprinted into the left circle and ripped in a high one-timer.

The Blackhawks came on in the up-tempo third period, dominating for chunks of time and outshooting the Flames 10-5. Hiller had to be sharp to keep it close, including making several tough saves on Kris Versteeg.