After three attempts, the Chicago Blackhawks secured their first win of the season on Saturday night, achieving an impressive 5-2 victory against the Edmonton Oilers. New addition Teuvo Teravainen made a significant impact, scoring two goals and providing two assists, while second-year star Connor Bedard contributed a goal and two assists.
Goalkeeper Peter Mrazek had an outstanding performance, saving 38 of 40 shots, in contrast to Oilers goalie Calvin Picard, who conceded five goals on just 20 shots. Perhaps the Oilers would have been better off with Jean-Luc Picard.
Another positive takeaway for the Blackhawks was their success on power plays, scoring three times.
Despite starting the season with a loss to Utah (5-2) and a narrow overtime defeat to the Winnipeg Jets on Friday, where they led 1-0 until the final minute of regulation, there’s reason for optimism. Goalie Arvid Soderblom showed marked improvement, stopping 33 of 35 shots against the Jets.
Saturday’s victory provided a much-needed boost for the team, which faced a challenging opening schedule with their first four games on the road. Securing points against the Calgary Flames on Tuesday would signify a strong start to the season.
The Blackhawks’ offensive struggles from last year, where they ranked last in the NHL with just 178 goals, necessitated the addition of skilled players to support Bedard. Teravainen stands out as the most talented player Bedard has played with, while fellow offseason acquisition Tyler Bertuzzi is yet to make an impact. Additionally, winger Ilya Mikheyev was brought in from the Canucks, although he too has not yet contributed to the scoreline.
To maximize Bedard’s potential as a playmaker, the Blackhawks must surround him with teammates capable of scoring, as his previous linemates have often struggled to find the net.
