Oct. 18--Brandon Saad made his return to the United Center on Saturday and received a warm standing ovation from fans, but the Blackhawks overwhelmed his struggling Blue Jackets in an easy, if unremarkable, 4-1 victory. Here are a few observations from the game.
Center Artem Anisimov struck back at his former team
Anisimov scored the first goal of the night in the second period on a pretty backhand goal off a feed from Artemi Panarin. The line of Anisimov, Panarin and Patrick Kane continues to be the one providing the most production and Kane said before the game developing his chemistry with Anisimov is still a work in progress.
"I don't think every game is going to be perfect," Kane said. "So far with the training camp we had with playing with each other in the preseason and getting a few games under our belt. I think we're getting a little more familiar with each other."
Vincent Hinostroza got a warm welcome to the NHL from the Blue Jackets' Dalton Prout, who grabbed ahold and hit Hinostroza a couple of times late in the game. Rookie Hinostroza said he had an easy time adjusting to the NHL game.
"I think playing with all these great players is going to help me with that," Hinostroza said.
Hinostroza, who centered with Teuvo Teravainen and Ryan Garbutt, had just 9:51 of ice time, but he impressed coach Joel Quenneville.
"Got speed. He was dangerous," Quenneville said. "I thought he was a threat. I thought the line was much improved from our last game. Looked quick and I thought we had better rotation and sustained the four lines contributing to both ways on the puck and I thought Vinny had a good start."
The power play got on track
The Blackhawks scored two power-play goals in five opportunities.
The unit had gone 0-for-6 in two losses to the Flyers and Capitals last week.
