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)