Blackhawks fall 1-0 to the Blues in their 3rd preseason game

The Chicago Blackhawks traveled to St. Louis on Thursday, Sept. 24 to take on the Blues for their third game of the preseason. The big news from earlier in the day was Oliver Moore signing a five-year contract extension with a $4.25 annual cap hit. He traveled with the team and numerous other NHL regulars for this contest. Unfortunately, the game with sloppy and undisciplined from the start. The Blackhawks ended up falling 1-0 in this contest. Here's how the game went down.

Blackhawks lineup & special teams units

Forward lines, defensive pairings & goaltending

Roman Kantserov - Frank Nazar - Patrick Kane

Ryan Greene - Anton Frondell - Nick Lardis

Landon Slaggert - Oliver Moore - AJ Spellacy

Dillon Boucher - Sacha Boisvert - Connor Mylymok

Wyatt Kaiser - Artyom Levshunov

Kevin Korchinski - Ethan Del Mastro

Connor Mackey - Sam Rinzel

Arvid Soderblom/Drew Commesso

Patrick Kane made his Blackhawk's re-debut in this contest. At practice earlier in the day, head coach Jeff Blashill was asked if the team was saving Kane's debut at the United Center for their home-opener on Oct. 6. He said with a grin, "Something like that." That said, he likely won't play for the team's final preseason game on Saturday (Sept. 26).

AJ Spellacy and Sacha Boisvert, two top prospects for the Blackhawks, had a chance to play with a mostly NHL lineup in this contest. Landon Slaggert, who is on the bubble to make the main team, also got a shot to show his worth.

Jordan Greenway, who was playing on the fourth line throughout camp, tweaked something at practice on Wednesday (Sept. 23). He's considered day-to-day with a lower body injury. AHL players Dillon Boucher, Connor Mylymok and Connor Mackey filled in for some other players taking the night off.

Power Play Units

PP1: Nazar, Kane - Kantserov - Frondell, Levshunov

PP2: Greene, Moore - Boisvert - Lardis, Rinzel

Penalty Kill Units

PK1: Slaggert, Kaiser, Nazar, Levshunov

PK2: Greene, Del Mastro, Rinzel, Frondell

Other PK participants: Moore, Korchinski, Mackey, Spellacy, Slaggert

Blackhawks Game Notes

• Similar their second exhibition game, the Blackhawks got off to a rough start in the first period. They committed three minor infractions, but were able to kill off the Blue's ensuing power plays.

• The Hawks received a power play of their own at the end of the first frame, but were unable to convert despite registering four shots on goal. At the end of the first, newcomer Kantserov was credited with three of the Blackhawk's five shots on goal. For reference, the Blues had 11 shots.

• Here's a look at the chemistry Kantserov, Kane and Nazar had in this game. Hopefully they can build on that.

• The second period featured two more power plays for the Blackhawks, but they weren't able to find the back of the net. After 40 minutes, the game remained scoreless, with the Blues leading 23-12 in total shots.

• Things got a little spicy in the third as Spellacy and the Blues' Ross Johnston mixed it up after the play. Spellacy ended up getting a five-minute major and kicked out of the game for head-butting. But Johnston wasn't exactly innocent in the altercation. He was given two double minors for roughing. Unfortunately, Calle Rosen scored on the ensuing four-on-four to give the Blues a 1-0 lead. This ended up being the game-winning goal.

• This was NOT a disciplined contest for either side. All in all, the the Blackhawks were awarded five power plays and the Blues seven.

• As the third period was winding down, Boisvert and the Blues' Nathan Walker dropped the gloves. It's safe to say Boisvert get the better end of this fight.

• The Blackhawks emptied their net with 2:03 to go in the game, but they were unable to get the equalizer. Final score, 1-0 Blues. Shots were 36-16 for the Blues. Not the best outing for the Blackhawks.

• On a positive note, goaltender Arvid Soderblom was by far the best player for the Blackhawks. He stopped 35-of-36 shots for a .972 save percentage. Solid outing by Sodey.
  

• Kane (who is part of the Blackhawk's official leadership group), Nazar and Kaiser sported the "A"s on their sweater for this contest.

The Blackhawks will host these same Blues this Saturday (Sept. 26) at the United Center for the final game of the preseason. Coach Blashill indicated this lineup would likely be close to their opening night lineup.

Opening night is on Wednesday, Sept. 29, when the Blackhawks head to Las Vegas to take on the Golden Knights.

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