CHICAGO – The Chicago Blackhawks set an NHL record for the best start to a season, beating the San Jose Sharks 2-1 on Friday night to give them at least one point in their first 17 games.

Blackhawks rookie Brandon Saad scored a short-handed goal early in the third period to snap a 1-all tie. Chicago (14-0-3) won its fourth straight game to break a mark set by the 2006-07 Anaheim Ducks, who earned points in their first 16 games.

The Blackhawks equaled that run Tuesday with a shootout win over Vancouver.

Saad closed in on left wing one-on-one with San Jose defenseman Brent Burns. After a quick fake, Saad fired a shot from the circle that beat San Jose’s Antti Niemi 2:24 into the period.

Viktor Stalberg also scored for Chicago, which has captured a total of 31 of 34 possible points.

PENGUINS 3, PANTHERS 1: Matt Niskanen and Dustin Jeffrey scored third-period goals to send host Pittsburgh past Florida.

CANUCKS 1, PREDATORS 0: Dale Weise broke a scoreless tie at 9:14 of the third period and Roberto Luongo made 23 saves for the shutout and Vancouver defeated host Nashville.

NOTES

BLUE JACKETS: Center Artem Anisimov was released from a Detroit hospital and has flown home after a scary hit to the head in Thursday’s victory over the Red Wings. “Thank you for all your prayers. Made (it) home, (feeling) better,” Anisimov posted on his Twitter account late Friday afternoon.

SENATORS: Goaltender Craig Anderson, who leads the NHL with a 1.57 goals-against average and a .950 save percentage, is listed day-to-day after spraining his ankle in Thursday’s victory over the Rangers.