Morning Bag Skate: Blackhawks rout Blue Jackets 5-1 as Saad, Toews shine

The Blackhawks improved to 2-0-0 in their youthful season on Saturday night, as they soundly defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-1. Patrick Kane, Brandon Saad, and Jonathan Toews each contributed a goal and an assist in the victory. Corey Crawford made 32 saves and let in a lone Columbus goal during the second period.

Chicago’s next game is slated for Monday at six p.m. against the Maple Leafs in Toronto.

BLACKHAWKS

**RECAP: Isn’t this fun? Blackhawks cruise again, beat Blue Jackets 5-1 at home (SCH)

**Five thoughts from the dominant win over Columbus (Blackhawk Up)

**Nick Schmaltz left Saturday’s game early again, won’t make road trip (Sun-Times)

**The Panarin-Saad trade is shaping out to be one that benefits both teams (Tribune)

**Artemi Anisimov is too honest for his own good (Daily Herald)

**Will Artemi Panarin be missed in Chicago? (Blackhawk Up)

**Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook are happy to be back together (Sun-Times)

**With Panarin's impressive CBJ debut, he'll be fine without Kane & Co. (SBN)

CENTRAL DIVISION

**RECAP: Blues win home opener 4-2 over division foe Dallas (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

**Remembering Ken Hitchcock as Blues coach on his return to St. Louis (Bleedin’ Blue)

**Wild abandon 3-1 lead, lose to Hurricanes in shootout (Hockey Wilderness)

**Even with offseason additions, Stars have not played to expectations (DMN)

**Zach Parise, Mikael Granlund expected to return from injury next week (Star Tribune)

**RECAP: Penguins rebound from 10-1 thumping, defeat Preds 4-0 (On The Forecheck)

**Three things learned from the Penguins-Predators game (The Tennessean)

**RECAP: Flames come back to beat Jets in Calgary 6-3 (NHL.com)

**RECAP: Avalanche get blasted in New Jersey, lose 4-1 to Devils (Denver Post)

**Colorado defenseman Erik Johnson will likely be disciplined for low hit (Denver Post)

NHL

**Tampa Bay Lightning forward J.T. Brown raises fist during national anthem (SBN)

**Jaromir Jagr crashes interview with "Traveling Jagrs" (SBN)

**RECAP: Alex Ovechkin scores four goals, Nathan Walker tallies first (Jasper’s Rink)

**Australian athletes congratulate country’s 1st NHL player, Nathan Walker (SBN)

**RECAP: Maple Leafs rally defeat Rangers 8-5 in high scoring bout (NHL.com)

**RECAP: Canucks vanquish Oilers in narrow 3-2 victory (NHL.com)

**Five first impressions of the Vegas Golden Knights (Puck Daddy)

**Why the Golden Knights' hot start might continue (Pro Hockey Talk)

HOCKEY WORLD

**Michigan Tech upsets Minnesota Duluth in Ice Breaker Tournament final (SBNCH)

**WHL Roundup: Oksanen, Bradley push Pats past Blades (Sportsnet)

**OHL Roundup: Nate Schnarr scores twice as Storm down Rangers (Sportsnet)

**Five takeaways from opening night of the USHL regular season (USHL)

**M RECAP: Penn State earns 4-1 victory over St. Lawrence (Centre Daily Times)