Thanks to Connor Bedard’s third goal, the Chicago Blackhawks handed the Vegas Golden Knights their first loss of the season, winning 4-3 in overtime on Friday night at T-Mobile Arena.
Bedard didn’t seem at all impressed by the den of the recent Stanley Cup winner, who hadn’t given the visitors any presents in three games. Additionally, the 18-year-old scored a goal every time he faced the Knights.
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The 2-2 tie was created by Bedard’s goal in the middle period, the Blackhawks’ second in 79 seconds. After a clever pass from Nick Foligno, the number 98 was alone against goalkeeper Adin Hill.
Chicago confirmed its victory after 2:50 minutes of overtime. In his second game of the season, Philipp Kurashev played the hero with a lightning shot on the power play.
There is no longer a perfect team in the National League this season. The Golden Knights and Boston Bruins are still undefeated after seven games in regular season.
Devils captain damaged
In Newark, Buffalo Sabers defenseman Connor Clifton was ejected from the game for a questionable hit on New Jersey Devils captain Nico Hischier.
This incident at the end of the first period cast a shadow over this game, which the home team won 5-4. The “Devils” found their center player in the second third, but he was not on the team bench the last time they played.
Clifton received a five-minute penalty for arguing with Ondrej Palat and a game-misconduct penalty. The former Boston Bruins raised his shoulder as he checked Hischier, and it was the head that appeared to be the first point of contact. The guard must report to the league’s player safety department on Saturday.
In the win, Jack Hughes picked up an assist, bringing his point total to 18 in seven games. The league’s top scorer was involved in Tyler Toffoli’s seventh goal.
Erik Haula equalized at the end of the third period with his second goal of the duel. Alexander Holtz was New Jersey’s other scorer.
The Capitals are getting away with it
In Washington, the Capitals were able to prevail with a 3-2 shootout victory despite 41 shots from the Minnesota Wild.
Darcy Kuemper was a brick wall for the local favorite, stopping 39 attempts. Offensively, it was the special teams that did well. Tom Wilson scored his first shorthanded goal of the year and Dylan Strome caused a stir on the power play.
Fourteen different players attempted a shootout, but only one hit the target: John Carlson. The big defenseman got the better of Marc-André Fleury, while the Wild’s last shooter, Patrick Maroon, couldn’t solve the Kuemper puzzle.