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CHICAGO -- Bryan Bickell had an open look on a break in the third period, and shot the puck off the crossbar. Xavier Sua-Filo Jersey . He then tried the other side of the ice, and that worked out quite well for him and the Chicago Blackhawks. Bickell had a goal and two assists, and the Blackhawks beat the Minnesota Wild 4-1 on Sunday to take a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference semifinals. Brandon Saad scored his first two goals of the post-season, and Chicago earned its sixth consecutive win despite stretches of lacklustre play in the second and third periods. Corey Crawford made 18 saves in another solid performance. "There were bits of that third where it wasnt looking good, but we just stuck with it," Bickell said. "Leave it to our D and Crawford to keep the puck out of the net. We need to be smarter defensively in positioning, but we stuck with it and got over the hump." Cody McCormick scored his second career playoff goal, but Minnesota missed another chance to steal home-ice advantage from the defending Stanley Cup champions. "We werent that far off," Wild coach Mike Yeo said. "Even though, again, I know we can play better. We werent that far off. That game was hanging for us." The series opener was tied at 2 in the third period before Patrick Kane scored two of Chicagos final three goals in a 5-2 victory on Friday night. Game 3 is Tuesday night in Minnesota. Clayton Stoner and Erik Haula made nice passes to set up McCormicks first playoff goal in three years 2 minutes into the third, trimming Chicagos lead to 2-1. Crawford then batted a potential tying shot from Charlie Coyle over the crossbar. "I almost missed it, where it might have gone in," Crawford said. "Just enough to land on top." The Blackhawks eventually regained their composure and turned up the pressure again. Coming down the right side, Bickell shot the puck off the crossbar on a break with 4:39 to go. Given a second chance, the physical forward delivered. Bickell skated up the left side, got a pass from Marian Hossa and buried his shot into the upper right corner to extend Chicagos lead to 3-1 at 17:15. It was Bickells fifth goal of the playoffs. He also has three assists after he had nine goals and eight assists in last years playoffs. "Its that time of year. I enjoy it," said Bickell, who had just 15 points during a disappointing regular season. "This is a crucial time for this team. We need for me and this team to step up." Saad added an empty-net goal, and the Blackhawks improved to 16-2 in home playoff games over the last two years. They are 5-0 at the United Center in this post-season. "You always want to help produce and make plays and score goals, so that definitely felt good," Saad said. Chicago jumped out to a 2-0 lead for the second straight game. Jonathan Toews scored a rebound goal after goalie Ilya Bryzgalov stopped Hossa on a breakaway in the first, and Saad sent a shot over Bryzgalovs right shoulder right after a power play expired in the second. Haula had a great scoring opportunity on the right side of the net after Crawford lost track of the puck in the first. But Ben Smith got it back, and Haula put a drive off the side of the net. "Im disappointed that were here down 2-0, frustrated," Wild star Zach Parise said. "But we understand that we didnt play nearly well enough to win. I think thats what were upset about, not so much being down 2-0. Thats not fun, either, but the way we played wasnt good enough, and definitely not good enough to beat the Blackhawks." The Wild failed to convert on their only power play after going 0 for 3 with the man advantage in the opener. They went 0 for 17 on the power play when they were eliminated by the Blackhawks in five games in 2013. NOTES: Bryzgalov made 18 saves. ... Blackhawks F Andrew Shaw was out with a lower-body injury, but is expected to travel with the team to Minnesota. Coach Joel Quenneville said he likely will be able to play in Game 3. ... Blackhawks F Brandon Bollig was a healthy scratch after he played in every previous game this season. F Kris Versteeg was back after he was scratched the previous two games, and F Jeremy Morin made his playoff debut. ... Minnesota F Justin Fontaine had his first action since the Wilds 5-2 victory against Colorado in Game 6 of their first-round series. Stephane Veilleux was among the scratches after he played almost nine minutes in the series opener against Chicago. Roy Williams Jersey . Vonn punctuated her near-perfect season in perfect fashion Friday, earning her fourth overall World Cup title with a dominating giant slalom victory. Daryl Johnston Jersey . After a tight first half, the Croatians took command in Reykjavik after Skulason was dismissed for a professional foul in the 51st minute, but couldnt find a way past Iceland goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson and his packed defence. Eduardo had a weak shot cleared away from near the goalline after barely a minute for Croatia, whose substitute Ivica Olic forced a fine reaction save from Halldorsson in the 55th.With the Premier League returning following the international break, it was a typical day of drama with plenty of goals and the top two held to draws. But who were the two birthday boys among the goalscorers on Saturday? And when was the last time a team went eight games without winning at the start of two consecutive top-flight seasons?Here, we pick out the best of the Premier League stats courtesy of our friends at Opta… Arsene Wenger gives his reaction to Sky Sports after his side beat Swansea 3-2 Arsenal 3-2 Swansea City Theo Walcott has scored five goals in eight Premier League games this season, the same number he scored in 28 appearances last season.Swansea lost their first Premier League match at the Emirates since their first ever visit to the stadium in September 2011. Arsenal see off Swansea Theo Walcott scored twice as Arsenal won 3-2 against Swansea in Bob Bradleys first game. Mesut Ozil became the second player to score a Premier League goal on his birthday this season - the other was also an Arsenal player (Laurent Koscielny against Southampton). Nolito then became the third in the Man City game.Granit Xhaka has been shown more red cards than any other player in the big five European leagues since the start of last season (four). Arsenal 3-2 Swansea The Gunners are the only Premier League side to have won (30) more games than theyve lost (26) when theyve had a player sent off.The Swans have lost four consecutive Premier League games in a single season for the first time since April 2012. Watch NOW TV Watch Sky Sports for just ￡6.99. No contract. Bournemouth 6-1 Hull CityBournemouth have scored six goals in a Premier League game for the first time.Indeed, Hull conceded six goals in a Premier League game for only the second time. Bournemouth hammer Hull Bournemuth hit Hull fir six in first game following Mike Phelans permanent appointment. Charlie Daniels has been directly involved in 10 Premier League goals since the start of last season (four goals, six assists) - more than any other defender.After nine games without a goal or assist, Junior Stanislas has scored three and assisted another two in his last three Premier League games. Bournemouth 6-1 Hull Bournemouths total of 22 shots (including blocked) is their highest ever in a Premier League match.Hull City have lost four consecutive Premier League games for the first time since November 2014.Andrew Surman made more passes (66) had more touches (78) and made more interceptions (six) than any other Bournemouth player against Hull.Chelsea 3-0 LeicesterLeicester are the fourth reigning top-flight champion to lose their opening four away league games, and first since Blackburn in 1995/96.The team scoring first in the 11 Premier League meetings between these sides at Stamford Bridge has never lost (W8 D3).Leicester have won eight points from their first eight games; the joint second lowest haul by a defending Premier League champion (also Chelsea, 2015/16). Chelsea ease past Leicester Diego Costa was among the scorers as Chelsea won 3-0 against Leicester. Diego Costa has had a hand in 50 Premier League goals for Chelsea (39 goals, 11 assists) in just 62 games.Since his debut in August 2012, Eden Hazard has scored more Premier League goals than any other midfielder in the competition (44).Chelsea have won three of their last four Premier League home matches, after winning just three of the previous 14 at Stamford Bridge.Leicester have failed to score in three Premier League games this season, the same number as in the whole of 2015/16. Chelsea 3-0 Leicester Nemanja Matic (three assists in eight appearances) has made more Premier League assists this season than in the entire 2015/16 season (two assists in 33 appearances).Leicester City have conceded more goals from corners than any other Premier League team this season (five).Leicester failed to muster a shot on target in a Premier League game for the first time since May 2015 versus Sunderland.Crystal Palace 0-1 West Ham United For the first time ever, West Ham have won three in a row away to Crystal Palace in the league.The Eaglees have lost each of their last five Premier League London derbies at Selhurst Park. Cameron Fleming Jersey . Benteke miss proves costly Ten-man West Ham won at Crystal Palace thanks to Christian Bentekes penalty miss. Six of Manuel Lanzinis eight Premier League goals have come away from home.Lanzini has scored in each of West Hams last three top-flight clashes with Palace (three goals in total).Since his debut in August 2014, Aaron Cresswell has provided nine assists in the Premier League, a haul only two other defenders can better (Janmaat 11, Baines 10). Crystal Palace 0-1 West Ham Christian Benteke missed a Premier League penalty for the first time since October 2013 (Aston Villa v Everton), while overall he has converted seven of his 10 top-flight spot-kicks.There were only 51 seconds between Aaron Cresswells two yellow cards.Two of Cresswells three red cards in league football have come against Crystal Palace.Manchester City 1-1 EvertonNo Everton manager has won more points from their first eight Premier League games in charge than Ronald Koeman (15 - level with Roberto Martinez).Manchester City are unbeaten in their last seven Premier League meetings with Everton (W4 D3). City held by Everton Manchester City could only manage a 1-1 draw despite dominating Everton. Romelu Lukaku has scored six goals in his last five Premier League games after a run of 11 consecutive appearances in the competition without a goal.All three of Nolitos Premier League goals for Manchester City have come as a substitute. Man City have failed to score four of their eight penalties in all competitions this season.David Silva has provided more Premier League assists than any other player in the competition since his debut (59). Manchester City 1-1 Everton Phil Jagielka is the first Premier League player to concede two penalties in one game since Fernando Amorebieta (Fulham v Man City, March 2014).Maarten Stekelenburg saved two penalties against Man City; the eighth occasion a goalkeeper has done so in a single Premier League game.Stoke City 2-0 Sunderland Sunderland are only the second team in top-flight history to fail to win any of their opening eight league games in consecutive seasons (after Bury in 1905/06).Stoke kept their first clean sheet in their last 18 top-flight games. Allen brace for Stoke Stoke midfielder Joe Allen scored twice to heap the misery on Sunderland. Joe Allen has scored in three consecutive Premier League games for the first time in his career.Including internationals, Welsh midfielder Allen has now scored in each of his last four matches.Stoke scored with the first shot of the game. Stoke 2-0 Sunderland Allen netted his first-ever brace while the Stoke star has now matched his best-ever goal haul for a top-flight season (four, also 2011/12).Marko Arnautovic is the first Stoke player to provide an assist in the Premier League this season, setting up Allens first goal.West Bromwich Albion 1-1 TottenhamTottenham are unbeaten after their opening eight games of a top-flight season for the first time since 1990/91.West Brom have drawn each of their last three top-flight games 1-1, with the Baggies scoring more than once in only one of their last 18 games (4-2 v West Ham in September). Spurs draw at Albion Dele Alli cancelled out Nacer Chadlis goal against his former club. The Baggies have conceded a league-low one first-half goal in the Premier League this season (against Everton in August).Nacer Chadli has been involved in six goals in his five Premier League games this season (four goals, two assists). West Brom 1-1 Tottenham Chadli has netted four goals in his five top-flight games for West Brom, as many in his previous 33 for Tottenham.Dele Ali has netted three goals in his last five Premier League games, as many as in his previous 14 in the competition.You can watch Liverpool v Man Utd, plus Englands tour of Bangladesh and the British Masters on Sky Sports. Upgrade now and enjoy six months at half price! Also See: Arsenal see off Swansea Chelsea ease past Leicester ' ' '