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RECAP: Hawks’ offense breaks out in 5–2 victory over Oilers

  
RECAP: Hawks' offense breaks out in 5–2 victory over Oilers
Connor Bedard scored his first of the season and added two assists in the Chicago Blackhawks’ 5–2 road win over the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night. (Photo courtesy of the Chicago Blackhawks)

After a well-earned point in Winnipeg in a 2–1 overtime loss to the Jets on Friday night, the Chicago Blackhawks continued their road trip on Saturday night at Rogers Place in Edmonton against the reigning Western Conference champion Edmonton Oilers. The Hawks started Petr Mrazek in goal against Calvin Pickard for the Oilers. Both teams were in search of their first win of the season.

First period

On his 24th birthday, Philipp Kurashev gave the Hawks a 1–0 lead late in the period with his first. Kurashev won the faceoff back to Wyatt Kaiser, who passed it to Taylor Hall along the blue line. Hall’s shot was partially blocked on its way toward the net but Kurashev was there to swat it past Pickard at the 15:50 mark.

The Hawks would take the 1–0 lead to the locker room after 20 minutes. Shots on goal were even at 10 apiece.

Second period

Former Blackhawk forward Corey Perry tied the game at 1–1 with his first of the season. A wrist shot by Jeff Skinner from the left circle went off Perry, who tried to tap in the rebound but it went off Hawks defensemen TJ Brodie and trickled into the net at the 4:55 mark.

The Hawks regained the lead on the power play when Seth Jones scored his first of the season in his 800th career game. With multiple Oilers converging on Connor Bedard at the top of the left circle, the reigning Calder Trophy winner found Jones at the point, who sent a low shot past Pickard at 10:19 of the second.

Chicago took a 3–1 lead on Bedard’s first of the season. A strong defensive play by Bedard led to an offensive rush. Teuvo Teravainen dropped the puck off to Bedard, who skated into the slot and used Oilers defensemen Brett Kulak as a screen and fired a wrist shot past Pickard at the 13:58 mark.

The Hawks had a two-goal lead after 40 minutes led by their forecheck, which forced several Edmonton turnovers.

Third period

Early in the period, Teravainen scored the Hawks’ second power-play goal in as many chances to give the visitors a 4–1 lead. With Connor McDavid in the penalty box, Nick Foligno won the draw, which allowed the Hawks to get their power play organized. Bedard at the half boards fed Jones, who faked the point shot and found Teravainen to the left of Pickard. Teravainen’s seam pass deflected in off an Oilers’ defensemen at the 5:35 mark.

Nearly midway through the third, the Oilers appeared to have cut the Hawks lead to 4–2, however, the Hawks challenged the play for goaltender interference. After review, it was determined there was goaltender interference when Viktor Arvidsson pushed Brodie into Mrazek, so it remained 4–1.

The Oilers would get a goal that counted when Leon Draisaitl scored his first of the season on the power play. Following some great puck movement by the Oilers, McDavid found Draisaitl in the slot, who beat Mrazek at 10:01. The Oilers trailed 4–2.

With the Edmonton net empty, the Hawks drew a penalty and capitalized when Teravainen one-timed an Alex Vlasic feed for his second of the game and third of the season at 19:13. The Hawks increased their lead to 5–2, which was the final for their first win of the season.

Analysis

After a sloppy first period filled with several turnovers, the Hawks turned it around in the second with an aggressive forecheck, which led to multiple forced turnovers including on the goal by Bedard. Teravainen finished with two goals and two assists while Bedard and Jones had three points each. Mrazek had a strong game with 35 saves. Also of note, the power play connected on all three opportunities. With upgraded talent, the power play looked significantly more organized than the last few seasons.

The Blackhawks conclude their season-opening road trip against the Calgary Flames on Tuesday night. Puck drop is at 8 p.m. CDT on CHSN with the radio call on 720 AM WGN.

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