Seth Jones scores again, Petr Mrazek with 40 saves as Luke Richardson's message to curtail crummy first periods sinks in.
The Chicago Blackhawks more-or-less reached their metrics and objectives for a quick start on Tuesday, then parlayed them into a 3-1 win over the Calgary Flames.
Jason Dickinson, a legitimate Selke Trophy candidate, extended his career-high total with his 19th and 20 goals. Defenseman Seth Jones connected again as Chicago posted back-to-back victories for only the third time this season.
Peter Mrazek made 40 saves, losing a shutout bid with 7:35 left in the third period on MacKenzie Weegar's screened goal.
Chicago Checked the Boxes Early
The Blackhawks wanted at least 10 shots on goal in the opening period. They put 15 on Jacob Markstrom, with Connor Bedard taking four. Chicago wanted 10 hits, but settled for nine.
The Blackhawks took big-time verbal heat from coach Luke Richardson in a lousy first period at San Jose on Saturday, then were "bag skated" to conclude practice on Monday.
The message sank in, at least against the Flames as Chicago dominated early and built a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes on goals by Jones and Dickinson. The Blackhawks played well enough the rest of the way to give Richardson a victory on his 55th birthday.
"I think it's standard that needs to be set," Dickinson said. "There's an understanding this league is very hard, and in order to win in it you have to play hard and practice hard."
Dickinson, one of three Blackhawks forwards from Georgetown, Ontario, also was quietly happy to reach 20 goals.
"There's no doubt I wanted to start helping out on the scoresheet more," said the Dallas Stars 2013 first round draft pick. "See video.
Dickinson and Jones Connecting
Dickinson, Chicago's primary shutdown center, improved to a plus-5 on a team with a minus-97 goal differential. His regular linemate, Joey Anderson, set up both goals and improved to plus-7.
Jones has three goals in his last two games, including one 18 seconds into overtime at San Jose that lifted the Blackhawks to a 5-4 win after they were down by four goals early in the second period.
The 29-year-old defenseman, in the second season of an eight-year $76 million contract, has six goals and 13 points in his last 15 games. Jones didn't score his first goal this season until Jan. 19 and had only that score and 15 assists in his first 42 games.
The 6-foot-4 blueliner has prioritized shooting since returning on Jan. 13 from a shoulder injury that sidelined him for six weeks.
Richardson said other players are passing the puck to Jones flatter and more crisply so he can fire without delay.
"I think we haven't been as accurate on our passing earlier in the season," Richardson said. "That hesitates a 'D' because the puck's rolling or wobbling or it's not the in wheelhouse. Then you gotta' stop it and your lane is gone." See video.
Rookie Watch: Slaggert Steals Show from Bedard
Bedard assisted on Jones' goal to improve his rookie-best totals to 21 goals and 56 points in 58 games. The 18-year-old finished with five shots on goal, three that were blocked and one that missed the net.
Landon Slaggert, playing in his sixth game since signing from Notre Dame, recorded his first NHL points, a pair of assists on Dickinson's goals. He narrowly missed scoring, twice.
Slaggert fired toward an empty net after Markstrom mishandled the puck late in the second period, but the shot was blocked by Weegar. The 21-year-old hit the crossbar with a shot off a break with Anderson just over seven minutes into the third.
"I was hoping for it, but I guess it just wasn't in the cards tonight," Slaggert said. "I thought we created a lot of offense tonight." See video.
Game Flow
Chicago jumped out fast, buoyed by two early power-plays.
Jones opened the scoring on a screened shot from the top of the slot just 3:35. Bedard was buzzing during the advantages, and clicked with Philipp Kurashev to set up Jones with quick passes.
Dickinson one-timed in a cross-ice feed from Anderson to complete a 2-on-1 with 4:45 left in the first.
The Flames leveraged a pair of power plays to outshoot Chicago 14-4 in the scoreless second.
Dickinson scored his 20th from the slot at 4:14 of the third. He was set up by Anderson from the left corner.
Slaggert and the Blackhawks thought the rookie scored about three minutes later. With Markstrom down, his point-blank attempt clanked of the crossbar downward and landed only inches from the goal line. The goals and celebration were cancelled after a video review.
Weegar cut it to 3-1 at 12:25 of the third on a shot from the slot with Martin Pospisil backed into Mrazek. The goalie barked about interference, but Richardson elected not to challenge because "it was 50/50" and could have given Calgary a momentum-boosting power play.