The Chicago Blackhawks were destroyed by the Nashville Predators in the first round of the 2016-17 Stanley Cup Playoffs, with the Preds outscoring the Blackhawks 13-3 in the four-game sweep. It was a huge — and stunning — disappointment for the heavily-favored Blackhawks, and they haven’t wasted time trying to turn things around in the 2017-18 season.
The Blackhawks scored 10 (!) goals in their season opener against the defending champion Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday night at the United Center.
Chicago’s first three goals happened in a span of one minute and 13 seconds in the first period, and featured two ridiculous no-look passes from Patrick Kane.
Those were two of Kane’s three assists on the night, and he also added this filthy goal:
Patrick Kane's backhand is insane. 6-1 #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/d1oueAvlfn
— Cristiano Simonetta (@CMS_74_) October 6, 2017
Oh, and Brandon Saad had a hat trick in his first game back with the Blackhawks. The 24-year-old was acquired by the Blackhawks in a blockbuster trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets the over the offseason. Saad spent his first four seasons with the Blackhawks before playing with the Blue Jackets the last two seasons (yes, he’s in his seventh NHL season and is 24 years old).
https://twitter.com/_MarcusD2_/status/916132865733222401
Ryan Hartman led the Blackhawks with five points (one goal, four assists) and 14 Blackhawks recorded a point.
The Blackhawks are the first team since the 1989 Calgary Flames to score 10 goals in a season opener, and it’s Chicago’s first 10-goal game since 1988.
#Blackhawks: first time any team had 10 goals in season opener since Flames beat Red Wings 10-7 October 5, 1989
— Christopher Kamka (@ckamka) October 6, 2017
First 10-goal game for #Blackhawks since 10/12/1988 (10-1 win vs Jets)
— Christopher Kamka (@ckamka) October 6, 2017
And my favorite factoid: the Blackhawks have now scored as many goals as the Chicago Bears have touchdowns and field goals combined this season, and have scored more goals than the Bears have touchdowns! The Bears have eight touchdows and two field goals this season.
When you hear "Chicago has a touchdown" the likelihood of the team being talked about ranked:
1) Cubs
2) Blackhawks
3) Sox
4) Bulls
5)Bears— Brad Robinson (@bradrobinson8) October 6, 2017
The Blackhawks even managed to score more goals than Mike Glennon has turnovers. Quite a feat.
The Blackhawks have scored more goals (9) tonight than times Mike Glennon turned the ball over in four games (8) for the Bears
— Matt Eurich (@MattEurich) October 6, 2017
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