Cummins and Murray Craven had goals for Chicago, ending long scoring droughts. The Blackhawks are 0-1-2 in their last three games and have just one win (1-3-3) in their last seven.
Lonny Bohonos and Markus Naslund scored power-play goals in a 2:27 span of the first period for Vancouver, which is 2-11-1 in its last 14 trips to Chicago. All four meetings between the teams this season went to overtime, with the Canucks going 2-0-2.
"I know what I like my team to do when we come to the rink and this kind of effort is indicative of what we want to see and what we're going to need to see the rest of the year," said Vancouver coach Tom Renney.
The Canucks remained three points behind Chicago in the Western Conference playoff race. The Blackhawks are tied with Calgary for the last playoff berth in the West.
"We're in the same shape as Chicago," Vancouver goaltender Corey Hirsch said. "Each point counts so much. It's kind of a bizarre race right now. No one in front of us is moving and the teams behind us seem to be catching us."
Chicago was trailing, 2-1, when Michal Sykora took a pass from Bob Probert, veered left down the slot and passed across to Cummins for the tap-in.
The Blackhawks had the apparent go-ahead goal disallowed with just over a minute to go in the second period when referee Don Koharski penalized Craven for interfering with goaltender Corey Hirsch. Craven collided with defenseman Bret Hedican and barreled into Hirsch as Ethan Moreau scored for Chicago.
"Koharski saw no contact with me and Hedican and said I also didn't make an effort to avoid the goalie," Craven said. "After we collided, I just fell off-balance into Hirsch and then he fell into the net."
Bohonos, recalled from the minors before the game, opened the scoring 5:13 into the first period. Chicago's Enrico Ciccone was in the penalty box for roughing when Bohonos converted David Roberts' pinpoint pass from the right boards.
Craven tied it just over seven minutes later, breaking a 35-game scoring drought. Hirsch stopped a shot by Eric Daze, but Craven scored on his second poke at the rebound for his first goal since December 13th.
"It's been a long time coming and hopefully it won't be two or three more months 'til the next one," he said.
Naslund put the Canucks back in front with another power-play goal at 14:49. Bohonos made a behind-the-back pass from the goal line and Naslund swept the puck inside the left post before Hackett could react.
Vancouver played without injured regulars Trevor Linden, Pavel Bure and Mike Ridley. Newly acquired Brian Noonan made his Canucks' debut, but Sergei Nemchinov remains sidelined with a rib injury.
"Injuries have got in the way, but all teams have them and when you look at what's happened to teams like Montreal and what they've been through, I can't complain," Renney said.
Chicago played without injured All-Star defenseman Chris Chelios. The Blackhawks have combined for only 10 goals in their last seven games and own the league's worst home record at 11-18-4.
"We're going to have to start scoring more if we are going to
give ourselves a chance to win," Chicago winger Ulf Dahlen said.
"We played OK defensively tonight and Hackett played great. To
get our offense going, we must drive the net. We don't need
pretty goals, we just needs goals. It's as simple as that. We
must do whatever it takes to win and be more successful because
right now, every game is like a playoff game."
Jon's 3 stars:
1. Jeff Hackett
2. Lonny Bohonos
3. Dave Roberts
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