The Chicago Blackhawks out dueled the Edmonton Oilers Saturday afternoon, 6-4, behind rokkie Dominik Kubalik‘s two goals and five points.
“We were ready to go and I think the game was pretty good,” Kubalik said. “I felt pretty good and everything went my way, so it’s nice, but it’s just the first game, so we’ve got to keep going.”
Jonathan Toews struck for two goals, and Brandon Saad and Dylan Strome added single markers in the win.
“I think [Kubalik] has shown right from the get-go he’s really smart in finding open spots, slipping behind guys,” Toews said. “He’s great at sending it at the net and, with the speed of the game nowadays, when he gets in those dangerous areas with how quick he gets the shot off, he’s going to put a lot of pucks home.
“I think he’s going to get better and better as we go along; you saw today he was more of a playmaker than a goal-scorer. He’s been fun to watch and fun to play on a line with for sure.”
Corey Crawford made 25 saves for the win in Game One.
“We did a pretty good job of sticking with it even when we got the lead,” Blackhawks head coach Jeremy Colliton said. “We’ve shown some immaturity at times as far as getting away from what’s given us success and just continuing to play a hard, simple and direct game. It’s playoff time and momentum can change quickly, so you don’t want to give the other team hope they can get back into it.”
Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and James Neal scored for Edmonton.
“[Our game] just was not good enough, all around,” McDavid said. “Game 1 is important, we lost it. Nothing we can do about it now. All we can do is focus on Game 2.
“I thought we did a better job as the game went on of keeping it simple. That’s what our team needs to do, ultimately, is be simpler.”
[WATCH: All Blackhawks vs. Oilers highlights]
Mike Smith got the start for the Oilers but was given the hook after yielding five goals; he made 18 saves through the early minutes of the middle frame.
Mikko Koskinen made 18 saves in a mop up effort.
The Hawks were 3-for-6 on the power play.
“We know they have a good power play and can capitalize 5-on-5,” Nugent-Hopkins said. “We had a good penalty kill all year. We know we can get back to it. We have to sharpen up a little bit, better clears.”
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