mymotherlode
CHICAGO (AP) — In a highly anticipated home opener, the Chicago Blackhawks claimed their first victory of the season by defeating the St. Louis Blues 4-2 on Tuesday night. Sam Rinzel and rookie Anton Frondell scored just 2 minutes apart in the second period to propel Chicago ahead.
Patrick Kane, the 37-year-old forward, played his first home game with the Blackhawks since signing a two-year, $16 million contract in July. He was honored with a pregame video tribute and a thunderous ovation from the sold-out United Center crowd, marking his return to the franchise where he spent his first 17 seasons.
Cole Smith extended the lead with a short-handed, empty-net goal at 1:09 remaining, making it 3-1. However, Connor McMichael responded with a power-play goal for the Blues with 38 seconds left, with goalie Joel Hofer pulled, cutting the deficit to 3-2. Frank Nazar then sealed the win with another empty-netter with just 4 seconds on the clock.
Spencer Knight turned aside 25 shots for Chicago, which had started the season with three road losses, being outscored 15-5. Knight denied Pavel Buchnevich on a late second-period breakaway and remained solid in the third to preserve the lead.
Mason McTavish also scored for the Blues (1-2), while Hofer made 17 saves. St. Louis defenseman Colton Parayko appeared in his 803rd NHL game, tying Barret Jackman for the most by a defenseman in franchise history and moving into second place overall behind forward Bernie Federko (927 games).
Blackhawks forward Teuvo Teravainen suffered an injury in the second period and did not return.
Rinzel tied the game 1-all at 5:40 of the second period, drifting into the slot and burying a rebound of Nazar's shot just as a Chicago power play expired. Frondell then put Chicago ahead with a one-timer from the right side off a feed from Artyom Levshunov.
Up Next
The Blues will host the San Jose Sharks on Thursday, while the Blackhawks will visit the New York Islanders on Thursday.
_ For full NHL coverage, visit AP's hockey hub.
Originally reported by mymotherlode.