CHICAGO _ For a little bit there it seemed the Blackhawks might have a laugher on their hands. Then the Capitals started to fight back and tried to wipe the smile off the Hawks' faces.
Jonathan Toews wouldn't let that happen.
The Hawks captain scored his sixth career hat trick _ including two goals during the third period _ to secure an 8-5 victory over the defending Stanley Cup champions in a Sunday matinee at the United Center.
Toews also had two assists and newly installed linemate Patrick Kane also had five points (2 goals, 3 assists).
"I know what he likes and how he likes to play," Toews said. "And vice versa. We can complement each other well. Obviously, Kaner's been playing with a ton of confidence, so it was just go out there and make his life easier."
Toews' third goal of the game _ and 21st of the season _ came on a brilliant individual effort with five minutes left after the Capitals had pulled to within 6-5. He turned around defenseman Dmitry Orlov, skating past him and beating goalie Pheonix Copley. Dylan Strome added an empty-netter for the final margin.
Toews was credited with his first goal in the first period after Orlov accidentally batted the puck into his own net.
"One of those nights where pucks were going in," Toews said. "After tonight no one will be asking about how that goal went in."
The win snapped a five-game losing streak for the Hawks, who have one game left before the start of the All-Star break and week off. The Capitals lost their fifth straight.
"It's never fun to give up five," Kane said. "But we know we have seven days off coming, so let's try to be good for one more. And get some momentum going into the break."
The Hawks' top four goal scorers each added to his total in the first 40 minutes as they took a 4-2 lead. Brandon Saad, Kane and Toews scored in the first period, and Alex DeBrincat added one in the second.
Saad's goal came when he picked up the puck inside his blue line and blew past the Capitals defense before putting a shot over the right shoulder of goalie Braden Holtby, who was pulled after allowing four goals on 11 shots. Saad has a goal in three straight games.
"Terrific individual effort (by Saad)," Hawks coach Jeremy Colliton said. "Just one of those things you build momentum off. Nice for him. He's done that a few times this year, just holds a guy off and puts a guy on his back and carries him to the net. Hopefully he can gain some confidence from that."
Collin Delia might have had his best and worst games of the season at the same time. He made many great saves, including an incredible acrobatic save on a Tom Wilson shot from the slot in the second period. But he also let in a couple of soft ones and gave up a season-high five goals.
"It was a fun game," Kane said. "Kind of like a playoff-type atmosphere, playoff-type game. It was back and forth, it seemed like no matter how big our lead, we couldn't make it big enough to feel comfortable. It was a good win for us."
