Tyler Motte scored twice and Scott Darling stopped all 18 shots he saw as the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the St. Louis Blues, 4-0, on Saturday at the United Center in Chicago.
Motte, who signed a three-year entry-level deal with Chicago after his junior season at Michigan, scored his first goal by redirecting Gustav Forsling’s shot with 29 seconds left in the second period. The 21-year-old made it 4-0 on a shorthanded breakaway with 39 seconds left in the game.
Always good to see new #Blackhawks getting on the scoresheet! Motte redirects Forsling’s blast from the point. #TheFuture™️ pic.twitter.com/j2W1wzIojn
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) October 2, 2016
Tyler Motte’s second goal of the game, this one coming shorthanded. pic.twitter.com/ATvvGuaIkw
— Blackhawks Breakdown (@HawksBreakdown) October 2, 2016
The Hawks entered the game being outscored 0-5 after back-to-back shutout losses to Pittsburgh. Artemi Panarin broke the Hawks’ scoreless preseason streak off a one-timer from Patrick Kane. Coach Joel Quenneville had the duo split up early, but reignited the chemistry between the electric wingers. Kane sent a feed to Panarin, who rocketed a shot past former Hawks goaltender Carter Hutton at 12:36 of the middle frame.
Kane to Panarin for Chicago’s first preseason goal. pic.twitter.com/tFINU55peq
— Blackhawks Breakdown (@HawksBreakdown) October 2, 2016
Defenseman Michal Kempny tallied his first goal with Hawks with a blast from the point in the second for a 2-0 lead.
Get pucks to the net and good things happen. Take Michal’s word for it! #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/5SNjm8PmxE
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) October 2, 2016
Hutton allowed three goals on 26 shots in the first two periods. Jordan Binnington entered in relief and made 11 saves for the Blues.
The Hawks (1-2) are back in action at 5 p.m. Sunday at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit against the Red Wings for the first half of a home-and-home.