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Backup G Darling earns 1st NHL shutout; Richards scores in Blackhawks' 1-0 win over Rangers

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Chicago Blackhawks goalie Scott Darling stops a shot on the goal by New York Rangers' Dominic Moore (28) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, March 18, 2015, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) (The Associated Press)

New York Rangers goalie Cam Talbot (33) stops a shot on the goal by Chicago Blackhawks' Jonathan Toews (19) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, March 18, 2015, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) (The Associated Press)

Brad Richards broke a scoreless deadlock 7:19 into the third period, and the Chicago Blackhawks cooled off goalie Cam Talbot and the surging New York Rangers 1-0 on Wednesday night.

Right after Rangers defenseman Dan Boyle rang a shot off the crossbar behind Blackhawks backup goalie Scott Darling, Richards got the puck in front of the New York net, waited patiently and snapped a shot past Talbot for his 11th goal.

The Blackhawks stretched their winning streak to four and snapped the Eastern Conference-leading Rangers' winning run at five games.

Richards, a member of the Rangers last season, has five career goals against New York. That was enough to make a winner of Darling, who played for just the third time since Dec. 13. He made 25 saves to improve to 7-3 and earn his first NHL shutout in 10 career games.