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RECAP: Kantserov, Teravainen score two goals each, Hawks win 5-3 over Pens

  
Roman Kansterov scored twice as the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-3 at the United Center on Tuesday. (Photo by Michael Reaves / Getty Images)

The Chicago Blackhawks (1-5-0) eagerly welcomed the return of captain Connor Bedard to the lineup versus the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins (3-2-1). The 21-year-old center missed the first six games of the season while recovering from an offseason shoulder surgery.

First period

Chicago opened the scoring at the 0:28 second mark of the game when forward Teuvo Teravainen scored his first goal of the season beating Penguins goaltender Sergei Murashov. The goal, assisted by forwards Anton Frondell and Tyler Bertuzzi, would energize the crowd early as the rowdy faithful were still buzzing from the return from Bedard.

Pittsburgh would tie the score at 1-1 after 39-year-old captain Sidney Crosby scored his first goal of the season beating goaltender Spencer Knight at the 6:57 mark of the opening frame. The goal, assisted by defenseman Erik Karlsson, came after a terrible play along the boards that broke out to a 2-on-1 for Pittsburgh.

Chicago would take the lead before the first intermission when 22-year-old winger Roman Kantserov buried a power-play goal for his second goal of his career. The goal was assisted by Bedard and defenseman Bowen Byram.


Second period

Kansterov extended the Blackhawks’ lead to 3-1 with his second of the game, at the 10:32 mark, beating Murashov with a tip out front. The goal, Kantserov’s third of his career, was assisted by defenseman Artyom Levshunov and forward Patrick Kane.

Pittsburgh would answer with just less than three minutes left in the period when forward Nick Robertson scored his fourth goal of the season beating Knight.

Third period

Crosby would show his world-class talent and tie the game with a wrist shot at the 9:17 mark of the last period to tie the game and 3-3.

Teravainen would score his second of the game to give the Blackhawks a 4-3 lead at the 15:42 mark. The goal, which would become the game-winner, was assisted by forwards Ryan Greene and Cole Smith.


Bertuzzi finished off the scoring with his second goal of the season into an empty net to give the home team a hard fought 5-3 victory.

Analysis

Kantserov and Teravainen each scored twice and Bedard assisted in his return back to the lineup. Frondell added two assists giving him five on the season. Chicago needed an offensive outburst, scoring two or less goals in four of their first six games this season. Fans had to be excited to see the youngsters perform at the level they know they are capable.

To say this was a must-win game in October would clearly be ridiculous, but after a few lackluster performances throughout the early season, the return of Bedard was the jump the team clearly needed. One player does not make a team but one player can definitely change a team.

The Hawks are back in action on Thursday, hosting the Winnipeg Jets for a 7 p.m. CDT puck drop.

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