The Chicago Blackhawks took on the defending Stanley Cup Champions in the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday night. The Blackhawks were hanging in with the Knights until they scored three goals in the third period. Corey Perry scored with 15 seconds left on the clock, but Chicago couldn’t bounce back against Vegas, losing 5-3. Here are five things to note before they meet the Bruins on Tuesday night.
1. Connor Bedard scored his first regular season goal at the United Center
Vegas received a too many men call early in the first period, and the Blackhawks cashed in immediately. 90 seconds into the game and five seconds into the power play, Bedard found the back of the net. The United Center erupted, and fans are now counting down the minutes until they can see him do it again.
2. Taylor Hall once again went down the tunnel in the second period
Hall left the game with an upper-body injury and didn’t return when the Blackhawks played against the Montréal Canadiens on Oct. 14. He didn’t miss any games, saying he felt good enough to play against Toronto. He played without issue until he went to the locker room early during the second period, and Tyler Johnson took his spot on the top line with Bedard and Ryan Donato.
He returned for the third period and played through the rest of the game. It was reported that Hall isn’t practicing with the team today because he reaggravated his left shoulder injury. He’s currently considered week to week; it’s unclear when he’ll be ready to return and who will take his spot on the Bedard line.
3. Reese Johnson scored his first goal of the season
Johnson drew back into the lineup to play his second game of the season on a line with Donato and Boris Katchouk. He was able to tie the game in the second period after redirecting Connor Murphy’s shot. Johnson is another one of those guys fighting for a consistent spot on the roster, and he might earn it if he continues to produce.
4. Perry looks good in red
With a goal in the last minute of the third period, Perry now has three points (2G, 1A) in five games. A lot of Chicago fans weren’t too happy about the addition of the scrappy veteran, but he’s proving to be a solid presence on and off the ice.
5. Phillipp Kurashev might be in the mix tomorrow
After missing the first six games of the season, Kurashev is hoping to make his season debut after dealing with a left wrist injury. He participated in the team’s practice this morning, and if he plays tomorrow, we’ll likely see him play on the third line. With Hall out of the lineup, this is good news for Chicago.
The Blackhawks face the Boston Bruins for the second time this season tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. at the United Center.
ITR 44: We Have A Champion…Again – Inside The Rink
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