Blackhawks top Blues 3-2, end preseason on a high note

The Chicago Blackhawks hosted the St. Louis Blues at the United Center for their final preseason game before the real season starts on Sept. 29. Patrick Kane didn't suit up, as he's saving his returning debut for the home-opener on Oct. 6. Also, forwards Frank Nazar and Landon Slaggert plus defensemen Kevin Korchinski and Wyatt Kaiser could not play due to the new collective bargaining agreement limiting players with 100 NHL games to just two preseason contests.

Forward Jordan Greenway, who was out the last few practices with a lower body injury, did practice with the team and is expected to be available for opening night (Sept. 29) against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Let's get to the lineup, games notes and quotes from this final preseason contest.

Blackhawks Lineup & Special Teams Units

Tyler Bertuzzi - Anton Frondell - Andrew Mangiapane

Teuvo Teräväinen - Roman Kantserov - Nick Lardis

Ryan Donato - Oliver Moore - Ryan Greene

Cole Smith - Dominic Toninato - Dillon Boucher

Alex Vlasic - Bowen Byram

Ethan Del Mastro - Artyom Levshunov

Ian Cole - Sam Rinzel

Spencer Knight/Drew Commesso

Power Play Units

PP1: Bertuzzi, Lardis - Kantserov - Frondell, Byram

PP2: Greene, Teravainen - Moore - Donato, Rinzel

Penalty Kill Units

PK1: Teravainen, Frondell, Vlasic, Byram

PK2: Greene, Levshunov, Smith, Cole

Other PK participants: Del Mastro, Mangiapane

Blackhawks Game Notes

• The Blackhawks got the scoring started first. Anton Frondell won the faceoff and then picked up the rebound off a shot to the net Tyler Bertuzzi. Obviously, this was a pleasant surprise since the Hawks were shut out the last game, also versus the Blues. They were off to a good start.

• Things got a little spicy when Cole Smith and Logan Mailloux decided to drop the gloves after a Smith tripping penalty. Mailloux ended up getting a 10-minute misconduct out of the deal as well.

• The Blackhawks got into a little penalty trouble in the second period. Ian Cole was called for cross-checking, and then during the ensuing Blues' power play Smith was hit was a tripping penalty. However, the Blackhawks survived the 5-on-3, and as soon as Cole got out of the box he sprung for a breakaway. He didn't miss, and scored the shorthanded goal. 2-0 Blackhawks.

• The Blues thought they'd scored shortly thereafter, but Zach Dean was called for interference, negating the goal. Roman Kantersov then found the back of the net on the power play to make it 3-0 for the Blackhawks. Bertuzzi and Nick Lardis were credited with the helpers on Kantserov's tally.

• Unfortunately, Jonatan Berggren foiled netminder Spencer Knight's shutout bid, scoring a goal in the last minute of the second frame. Ryan Donato committed an ugly turnover on the play. But the Blackhawks went into the intermission with the momentum. Shots were 9-9 in that frame, but goals were 2-1 for Chicago.

• The third period went scoreless until 1:16 left in the game, when Colton Parayko snuck one past Knight to cut the Blackhawk's lead to 3-2. But the Hawks held on. They had numerous chances at an empty net goal, but couldn't get it done. Nevertheless, they came away with the win and a ended the preseason on a high note.

• Knight made some quality saves in this game to help hold the lead. All in all, he stopped 29-of-31 shots for a .935 save percentage.

• Some other notable stats before we get to more details in the the quotes. Bowen Byram led the team with an impressive 26:27 minutes of ice time. Smith was credited with five hits, and Alex Vlasic six blocked shots. Bertuzzi came away with two primary assists.

Quotable Quotes

• Cole on his shorthanded goal right after he got let out of the penalty box, "I couldn't believe that it got to me, to be honest. It bounced ove one guy, one guy fell down. I was like, oh man, I actually got a lot of time. This is crazy. I don't get a ton of breakaways; just came down, found an open spot ... I wouldn't expect a ton of that this year (laughing)."

• This was the first time Kantserov had played center. He actually won 7-of-11 faceoffs, which is impressive for a young player doing that for the first time. Here's his thoughts on playing the center position. "Yeah, like so many chances. Maybe need to improve pay in the D-zone. Also support offensive. It's hard work, you know. You need power for helping your D, breakaways, regroups, and go in the offensive zone. I think center is a good position. You need to be smart and strong."

• Frondell had a really solid game, leading the team with four shots on goal, eight shot attempts and 22:04 minutes of ice time. He helped in all situations, logging 5:16 minutes on the power play and 3:37 on the penalty kill, plus scoring a goal 5-on-5. On his heavy ice time, he said, "I always want to be on the ice. When Blash tells me to go, I'm just excited for a new shift ... I love to play." Sounds kinda like Connor Bedard, doesn't it?!

• For his part, Coach Blashill felt it was a decent game, with some good and some bad. "Overall, it was an experience for all of us in terms of growing as a group, having a chance to teach some things, got some five-on-six." He did reiterate that the entire starting lineup still hasn't played together because of the shortened training camp. So he's excited to see how things pan out when they play the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday.
  

The Blackhawks finished their exhibition games with a 2 -1-1 record. Their preseason is technically over, as they have Sunday off and just a short practice Monday before traveling to Las Vegas. They'll face the Golden Knights on Tuesday as part of a triple-header to kick off the NHL season. Puck drop isn't until 9:30 p.m. central time.

There's still work to be done, but the Blackhawks are feeling good headed into the regular season. For better or for worse, the 84-game campaign commences on Tuesday!

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