Patrick Kane came home and the next generation stole the show

The Chicago Blackhawks won their first game of the season at the United Center on Tuesday night, overcoming the St. Louis Blues for a final score of 4-2. The Blackhawks started the season with a rough 3-game road trip that led to their current record of 1-3-0.

Patrick Kane had a homecoming celebration all laid out for him over a video tribute narrated by Kane himself. He skated through a lit-up No. 88 to a standing ovation. It was a really cool sight, and seeing Kane in a Blackhawks jersey at the United Center was like something clicked back together again in the universe. It was exactly 19 years to the day since Kane had made his UC debut as a Blackhawk.

Jonathan Toews and Niklas Hjalmarsson also made an appearance on the video board holding up a Kane jersey, again drawing another standing ovation from the crowd.

But it was the younger players on the Blackhawks that won the day.

Sam Rinzel and Anton Frondell took over in two minutes

With the Blues up 1-0 in the second period, Sam Rinzel picked up a rebound goal to tie the game 1-1, and only two minutes later, Anton Frondell scored the go-ahead goal to put the Blackhawks up 2-1. The Blues threatened to tie the game, but two timely empty-net goals added the insurance the Blackhawks needed to close the night in victory.

Spencer Knight had an excellent night in goal for Chicago, stopping 25 of 27 shots, including a breakaway save late in the second period that just barely went off of the shaft of his stick. It preserved their 2-1 lead going into the third period.

The Blackhawks still have a lot of work to do, but a win at home after a tough road stretch has a certain satisfying feeling to it. Sadly, it won't last long. The Blackhawks are on the road again for a game against the New York Islanders before coming home for a seven game home stint.

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