Blackhawks 3, Blues 2: Patrick Kane, defenseman Brent Seabrook and Viktor Stalberg scored and Chicago held on for the victory in its home opener.
Corey Crawford made 32 saves for the Blackhawks, who have won their first three games of the season for the first time since 1972-73. Crawford improved his career record against the Blues to 7-1-1.
Andy McDonald and T.J. Oshie scored and Brian Elliott stopped 24 shots for St. Louis, which outshot Chicago 16-9 in the third period but suffered its first loss in three games this season.
Elliott stood no chance on Chicago's first goal as the Blackhawks raced in on a three-on-none rush. Kane received a return pass from Patrick Sharp and slid a backhander behind the goaltender at 7:20 of the first period.
Seabrook doubled the lead during a power play at 8:21 of the second, redirecting fellow defenseman Duncan Keith's one-timer from the blue line past Elliott. Stalberg scored on a wrist shot from the right faceoff circle just over two minutes into the third to make it 3-0 before McDonald and Oshie cut the deficit to one.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Chicago C Jonathan Toews was 9-for-12 on faceoffs through two periods and finished 12-for-18. ... St. Louis C Alex Steen played in his 500th NHL game. He became the 53rd Swedish player to reach the plateau. ... Blues LW David Perron recorded his 100th career assist on Oshie's goal.
St. Louis | Chicago | |
Andy McDonald 1 | Points | Patrick Kane 1 |
Andy McDonald 1 | Goals | Patrick Kane 1 |
David Perron 1 | Assists | Bryan Bickell 1 |
T.J Oshie 1 | Power Play Goals | Brent Seabrook 1 |
N/A | Short Handed Goals | N/A |
Brian Elliott .889 | Save Percentage | Corey Crawford .941 |
Brian Elliott 24 | Saves | Corey Crawford 32 |
Team | Shots | Goals | Power Play | Penalty Kill | Penalty Mins | Face Offs Won |
St. Louis | 34 | 2 | 1-2 | 2-3 | 11 | 26 |
Chicago | 27 | 3 | 1-3 | 1-2 | 9 | 34 |