Golden Knights Beat Blackhawks 5-4
CHICAGO (AP) -- Reilly Smith had a goal and two assists, and the Vegas Golden Knights topped the Chicago Blackhawks, 5-4, on Friday night for their ninth win in 10 games.
Jonathan Marchessault and William Karlsson each had a goal and an assist as expansion Vegas got the win in its first trip to Chicago. Alex Tuch and Cody Eakin also scored, and Malcolm Subban made 28 saves.
The game was tied at 4 when Smith stole a pass and beat Jeff Glass on a breakaway for his 11th of the season 13:53 into the third. The Blackhawks pulled Glass in favor of an extra attacker with about two minutes left, but the Golden Knights held on.
Vinnie Hinostroza had a goal and two assists for Chicago, which was coming off a 2-3-1 trip. Jonathan Toews had a goal and an assist, and Glass finished with 38 stops.
The Blackhawks trailed 3-1 before scoring three straight goals in their first home game since Dec. 17. Patrick Sharp scored his fifth of the season 7:53 into the second before Hinostroza set up goals by Nick Schmaltz and Toews, giving Chicago a 4-3 lead 30 seconds into the third.
Eakin responded with a big slap shot by Glass at 5:33, setting up Smith's winner.
Vegas also played Thursday night, losing 2-1 at St. Louis, but the Golden Knights still skated circles around the Blackhawks for most of the first period.
Moments after Vegas' first power play expired, Marchessault's shot was deflected by Karlsson before it caromed off Tuch's left skate for his ninth goal at 4:44. Marchessault scored on a one-timer from the high slot at 15:49, making it 2-0 on the Golden Knights' 18th shot.
The Blackhawks got one back on Hinostroza's nifty deflection with 1:59 left in the first, but Karlsson restored the Golden Knight's two-goal lead with a rebound score 5:54 into the second. Smith's shot went off the boards behind Chicago's net and got past Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook before Karlsson knocked it in for his team-best 21st.
NOTES: Blackhawks G Corey Crawford remains on injured reserve with an upper-body injury, and there has been no word on when he might return. Asked after the morning skate about how long Crawford will be out, coach Joel Quenneville responded: "I'd say indefinitely right now." Quenneville indicated center Artem Anisimov, who is also on IR with an upper-body injury, is closer to returning to the ice, but did not provide any specifics. ... The Blackhawks paid tribute to Patrick Kane for his 300th career goal during a timeout in the first period. Kane briefly raised his arm to acknowledge the cheering crowd of 21,933.
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Blackhawks: Host Edmonton on Sunday.
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