NHL: Chicago 3, Columbus 1

CHICAGO, Dec. 14 (UPI) -- Martin Havlat put Chicago in front midway through the third period Sunday and the Blackhawks went on to defeat Columbus 3-1.

It was Chicago's fourth straight victory, matching their longest winning streak of the season.

Cristobal Huet, coming off his first shutout as a member of the Blackhawks, made 31 saves in the victory. The only goal Huet allowed came 1:35 into the contest when Fredrik Modin scored on a wrist shot.

The Blackhawks tied the game on the power play with a second remaining in the second period. Patrick Sharp got the goal, his 17th of the season.

It was still 1-1 when Havlat got a wrist shot past Steve Mason 9:36 into the third. Brent Seabrook added an empty-net goal with 22 seconds to play.

Mason allowed two goals on 28 shots.

Columbus had won its previous two games.