The Chicago Blackhawks battled the Vegas Golden Knights for the second time this season Friday night at T-Mobile Arena. It didn’t take long for the Stanley Cup Champions to score, putting the Blackhawks down by 2-0 after just under four minutes in the first period. After fighting back to tie it in the same period, Chicago continued to push back on Vegas. The game went into overtime, and Philipp Kurashev scored the game-winning goal to earn the Hawks’ third win of the season and end the Golden Knights’ undefeated streak. Here are five things to note before they take on the Arizona Coyotes tonight.
- Alex Vlasic is out, and Isaak Phillips is in
After a blindside hit from Vegas forward Brett Howden, Vlasic went down hard during the second period. He had to be helped off the ice by teammates and didn’t return to Friday night’s game. Vlasic was put in concussion protocol, and there’s no timetable for his return.
To fill his spot, the Blackhawks recalled Phillips from the Rockford IceHogs. Their first call-up of the season has three points (1G, 2A) in five games for Rockford so far. We’ll likely see him with Chicago until Vlasic returns.
- The penalty kill is solid.
The Golden Knights didn’t take a single penalty through the first 60 minutes, but the Blackhawks were down a man four times. Vegas had two powerplay chances in the third period but couldn’t capitalize. Going 4-for-4 against the Golden Knights, Chicago currently has an 88.5% on the PK.
It would obviously be ideal if they didn’t take any penalties at all, but the Blackhawks have proven they can keep themselves out of trouble on the PK.
- Kurashev got his first goal of the season
In his second game back after dealing with a left wrist injury, Kurashev scored the game-winner with a little over two minutes left in overtime. The Blackhawks were on their first powerplay of the game after Golden Knights forward William Karlsson went to the box for tripping. Kurashev took control of the puck after Vegas tried to clear it and got a one-timer past Adin Hill.
- Connor Bedard continues to dazzle
The hockey phenom scored Chicago’s second goal to tie the game in the first period. Bedard called for and buried the puck for his third goal of the season after Nick Foligno soared down the ice to make a pass. With his second goal against Vegas, Bedard became the youngest player in NHL history to score in his first two games against the defending Stanley Cup champions.
- The Blackhawks broke Vegas’s undefeated streak
The Golden Knights were the last team in the league that hadn’t lost yet this season. After a three-game losing streak, Chicago needed to find something to get them back into their groove. Hopefully, this win against the defending Stanley Cup champions will keep them motivated as the season continues.
The Blackhawks take on the Arizona Coyotes tonight at 9 p.m. central at Mullett Arena.
ITR 39: Conference Finals – Inside The Rink
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