ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The Chicago Blackhawks bounced back from a tough loss two nights earlier and played a near-flawless game Friday in toppling the Western Conference-leading Anaheim Ducks 4-1 at Honda Center.

How it happened: The Blackhawks were penalized in the first three minutes of the game when Duncan Keith tripped a stick-less Corey Perry and went to the box. Chicago killed that man advantage thanks to a great save by Corey Crawford on Kyle Palmieri's shot from just outside the crease. Less than a minute after killing the penalty, Ducks center Ryan Kesler mishandled the puck in his own end and the rubber made its way from Patrick Sharp to Patrick Kane, who made a nifty pass from the slot through the skates of Anaheim defenseman Hampus Lindholm and onto the tape of Jonathan Toews, who was just below the right dot. He bobbled the puck momentarily but had plenty of time to collect and shoot into the far side of the net for a 1-0 lead. Keith and Kane added second-period goals, and the three-goal deficit proved too much for the Ducks, who also lost the night before at the San Jose Sharks.

What it means: Chicago fans who remember the Blackhawks losing seven straight games coming out of the All-Star break three years ago can breathe a little easier. Chicago made up for a 4-3 loss Wednesday at the Los Angeles Kings in which it surrendered two goals in the final two minutes. Better yet, the Blackhawks moved to within six points of the Ducks, who have dropped two in a row for the first time since losing back-to-back games to the Blackhawks and Sharks at the end of November.

Player of the game: Crawford kept the Ducks at bay until they scored a power-play goal just past the midway point of the third period, on their 21st shot. The Blackhawks haven't played well in the final period this month -- and particularly poorly during the final 10 minutes -- but Crawford held strong down the stretch to improve to 19-11-2. Sharp assisted on all four goals to tie his career high, most recently reached when he collected four against the Dallas Stars in November 2013. Kane had two goals and an assist, and Sharp and Kane each finished at plus-4.

Stat of the game: Kane and Toews scored in the same game for the 58th time, including the playoffs.

What's next: The Hawks continue north on their seven-game trip, meeting the Sharks on their fourth stop Saturday night.