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Blackhawks 2, Sabres 1

CHICAGO -- Patrick Kane's power play goal with 25 seconds left in the second period proved to be just enough insurance as the Chicago Blackhawks held on to beat the still-winless Buffalo Sabres 2-1 on Saturday night at the United Center.

Kane's goal was his fourth in the Blackhawks' first five games, a career first for the seven-year NHL veteran.

It was the second win in as many nights for the Blackhawks (3-1-1), and the Sabres (0-5-1) are still in search of their first win in regulation time this season.

The Blackhawks extended a streak that has seen them not lose at home to the Sabres since Jan. 10, 2007.

Buffalo avoided its second shutout the young season when Drew Stafford scored at 11:49 of the third period, just the Sabres' sixth goal in as many games this season.

Blackhawks forward Ben Smith opened the scoring at 9:26 of the first period, slapping a rebound past Buffalo goalie Ryan Miller.

Smith's first goal of the season was almost identical to Michal Handzus' winner on Friday against the New York Islanders.

In that game, Duncan Keith's slap shot from just inside the blue line rebounded onto Handzus' stick and he was able to poke it by Islanders goalie Kevin Poulin.

In Saturday's game, Brent Seabrook's slap shot from almost the same spot inside the blue line as Keith's bounced around in front of the net, with Smith quickly getting his stick on it and capitalizing to put Chicago ahead 1-0.

Chicago pounded Miller throughout the first period, outshooting the Sabres 20-6, then followed that with a 16-10 advantage in the second period before Buffalo edged the Hawks 13-4 in the third period.

After getting a rest Friday night against the Islanders, No. 1 goalie Corey Crawford was back in the net for the Blackhawks. Crawford stopped 28 of Buffalo's 29 shots and Miller stopped 38 of Chicago's 40 shots.

NOTES: Attendance was 21,261. ... Patrick Sharp played in his 600th career game. He's also one goal from 200 in his NHL tenure. ... Late Friday night, the Blackhawks recalled forward Brandon Pirri from the Rockford (Ill.) IceHogs and sent forward Jimmy Hayed to Rockford to open a roster spot for Pirri. ... So far, so good: The Hawks came into the game, their fifth of the season, not having lost any man-games to injuries thus far. By comparison, Buffalo came in having lost 26 man-games in its first five games. ... Buffalo's Kevin Porter was a healthy pregame scratch, keeping him one short of his 200th career NHL game. ... Buffalo came into the game with a 52-45-13-1 record in the all-time series with Chicago. ... Because of the lockout-shortened schedule last season, Saturday marked the first time the two teams met since Jan. 18, 2012 (a 6-2 Blackhawks win in Chicago). ... Saturday marked the 25th anniversary of the last time the Blackhawks have scored 10 goals in a game (Oct. 12, 1988 vs. Winnipeg). It also was the fourth anniversary of the biggest comeback in team history when the Blackhawks overcame overcame a 5-0 deficit to beat Calgary 6-5 in overtime in 2009.