Blackhawks 4, Blues 2: Chicago finally wins, on the night Kane came home
Chicago's first win of the season came in its home opener, with two late empty-net goals sealing it after Spencer Knight's 26 saves.
The Chicago Blackhawks beat the St. Louis Blues 4-2 at the United Center on Tuesday night, ending a three-game losing streak to open the season and winning their home opener. Chicago moves to 1-3-0; St. Louis, at 1-2-0, has lost two straight, according to NHL.com.
How it unfolded
St. Louis scored first. Mason McTavish put the Blues up 1-0 in the first period with a wrist shot from the slot, set up by Connor McMichael after a Chicago giveaway in the neutral zone, NHL.com reported.
Chicago took over in the second. Sam Rinzel tied the game on the power play by following up a rebound from a Frank Nazar shot, and Anton Frondell then put the Blackhawks ahead 2-1, finishing a pass from Artyom Levshunov. NHL.com also noted that a McMichael goal early in the second period was overturned after Chicago challenged for offside.
In the third, Cole Smith's empty-net goal made it 3-1. McMichael scored on a six-on-four power play to cut the lead back to one, but Nazar added a second empty-netter in the closing seconds to set the final score. Chicago Hockey Now reported that all four Chicago goal scorers netted their first of the season, and that Rinzel's goal was the team's first power-play goal of the year.
In goal
Spencer Knight made 26 saves for Chicago, according to NHL.com. Joel Hofer stopped 17 shots for St. Louis. Chicago Hockey Now added that Chicago allowed only 28 shots overall and won the expected-goals battle for the first time this season, though St. Louis held the edge in scoring chances in the second period.
Kane's return
The night also marked Patrick Kane's return to Chicago. NHL.com reported that the 37-year-old signed a two-year, $16 million deal on July 23 and spent his first 16 NHL seasons with the Blackhawks, winning three Stanley Cups. He did not score, but he played 20:55 and received a loud ovation during a video tribute at introductions. "It was special," Kane said, according to NHL.com.
Injury and what is next
Teuvo Teravainen left the game with an apparent lower-body injury in the second period and did not return. Coach Jeff Blashill said he will not travel to New York for Thursday's game against the Islanders, with more news expected in a couple of days, NHL.com reported. Chicago Hockey Now noted that game is the team's last road contest until October 29.
For St. Louis, McMichael said the Blues "were dictating play" but "kind of fell asleep there in the second." Coach Jim Montgomery said the team needs to be "more disciplined at the line," per NHL.com.
For Chicago, the result is a needed reset. Blashill said the team's process "was the best it's been" in large stretches, per Chicago Hockey Now. One win does not change a 1-3-0 start, but it gives the Blackhawks something to carry to Long Island.