Rangers 2, Blackhawks 1: Cam Talbot came within 12 seconds of his third career shutout and Rick Nash scored his eighth goal in 11 games as host New York returned from the Olympic break to post its 12th win in 16 contests.

Derick Brassard tallied midway through the first period to extend his point streak to seven games for the Rangers, who completed a two-game season sweep of their Original Six rival.

After Henrik Lundqvist guided Team Sweden to the silver medal at the Olympics, Talbot (31 saves) made just his fifth start of the calendar year and 16th overall. The 26-year-old allowed a late tally between the pads by Peter Regin, who was playing in his second game since being acquired from the New York Islanders.

An alert play by J.T. Miller led to the Rangers drawing first blood midway through the first period. Recalled from Hartford of the American Hockey League on Tuesday, Miller stripped the puck from Chicago captain Jonathan Toews and Brassard converted Benoit Pouliot's centering feed for his 12th goal of the season.

Nash provided insurance with 4:07 remaining in the third as he regained possession of the puck and wheeled into the right faceoff circle before snapping a shot past Corey Crawford (22 saves). Regin prevented the shutout, but Chicago failed to net the equalizer and wrapped up a seven-game road trip with a 3-2-2 mark as it heads into Saturday's Stadium Series matchup with Pittsburgh at Soldier Field.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Brassard has collected four goals and five assists during his point streak. ... Miller was playing in place of injured LW Mats Zuccarello, who is expected to be sidelined two to three weeks after fracturing his left hand while blocking a shot in the Olympics. ... Pouliot has recorded two goals and two assists in his last three games.