The Chicago Blackhawks are winless through their first three games of the NHL’s 84-game expanded season.
Chicago lost 5-2 at Vegas, 6-0 at Utah and 4-3 at Buffalo, where the Blackhawks led 3-2 entering the third period.
Coach Jeff Blashill said the team played with more energy against the Sabres.
“I thought our compete and our kind of swagger was way better,” Blashill said.
Forward Connor Bedard remains out with a shoulder injury and doesn’t yet have a return timeline. The Blackhawks host the St. Louis Blues in their home opener Tuesday, with Patrick Kane’s first home game since returning to Chicago.
The season started Sept. 29, when Edmonton Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard became the first defenseman in NHL history with five points in a season opener, ESPN reported. It was the league’s first September start since the 2007-08 season.
Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman had a 24-save shutout in a 3-0 win over the New York Rangers. He praised his new teammate JJ Peterka, who scored in his Boston Debut.
“That was a goal-scorer’s goal,” Swayman said.
On Thursday, the San Jose Sharks beat the Florida Panthers 4-3 in overtime in their opener, with Macklin Celebrini recording three points. Florida captain Aleksander Barkov left the game with a left knee injury.
The Stanley Cup Playoffs are a long way away, but predictions for who will win the Cup, and many other awards, are already out. Here are my predictions for the Stanley Cup winner and other major NHL awards:
- Stanley Cup: Colorado Avalanche.
- Hart Trophy: Macklin Celebrini, Sharks.
- Vezina Trophy: Spencer Knight, Blackhawks.
- Norris Trophy: Lane Hutson, Canadiens.
- Calder Trophy: Porter Martone, Flyers.
Written by junior Lucas Kadolph. Edited by staff writers for the Oswego East’s online news magazine The Howl.