Teuvo Teravainen is making an impact like a major free-agent signing should at the start of the season. Tyler Bertuzzi, the other Chicago Blackhawks major offseason signing, has not.
Granted, not many alarms should be sounded over a slow start through just four games.
Thankfully, Bertuzzi introduced himself nicely to the hometown crowd by finally getting his first point of the season. His first Hawks goal came from a sweet pas by Teuvo.
Teuvo and Connor Bedard have been forming some nice chemistry skating together on the top line. The hope is Taylor Hall and Bertuzzi can do the same on the second line.
The home crowd got to see what their top-six can do when it is firing on cylinders.
That is because Hall also finally got his first goal of the season in the Hawks' 4-2 victory over the San Jose Sharks.
Now, the Sharks are still terrible, so if the Hawks want to raise their standards, this is the type of win they should always pick up. It does not help that the Sharks are skating without this year's No. 1 overall pick, Macklin Celebrini, who is out with an injury.
It would have been nice to see the two phenoms in Celebrini and Bedard go at it. Instead, folks had to settle for just watching Bertuzzi get his first goal with the Hawks, Hall's first goal since being lost for most of last season with a knee injury, and Teuvo and Bedard dishing out nice assists.
The Blackhawks have gotten off to a pleasant 2-2-1 start.
It is due in part to Teuvo and Bedard's playmaking ability. Also, Petr Mrazek is once again outstanding in goal.
The one thing that was missing during the four-game road trip to start the season was Bertuzzi and Hall providing some offense from the second line. The two combined for just an assist during the first four games.
Maybe just getting some rest at home, but both a fine individual offensive impact on the game while also helping out the defensive effort.
What was also a pleasant sight was the blueliners returning the favor and helping out the offensive attack. T.J. Brodie picked up the assist on Hall's goal.
The best part of the night was Bedard, Teravianen, Bertuzzi, and Hall getting goals during 5-on-5 moments or on the power play.
The Hawks will need Bertuzzi and Hall to have more games like this if the team wants to rack up more victories. They will have to do it against better competition, too.