The Blackhawks lost their season opener 5-1 in Tampa Bay against the defending Stanley Cup champion Lightning as Malcolm Subban made his first start for Chicago in net and two players had their NHL debuts with the Hawks.
Here are four takeaways:
Good start
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The Hawks were quick and effective at puck drop, outchancing the Lightning 3-0 early in the first period. Tampa Bay may have needed some time to warm up after having their banner raising ceremony prior to the game.
In net
Malcolm Subban made his first start for Chicago.
Ondrej Palat scored on a Lightning power play around the midway point of the opening frame after Subban gave up a rebound in front to give Tampa a 1-0 lead.
NHL
The tide turned when Mathieu Joseph was credited with the Lightning's second goal after Subban kicked in a loose puck that was behind him at 16:18 of the first.
Anthony Cirelli deflected a puck over Subban 1:39 after Joseph's goal when he got his blade on an Erik Cernak shot to make it 3-0.
Steven Stamkos added another power play goal to make it 4-0 at 9:56 of the second period. Brayden Point scored another power play marker late in the third to make it 5-0 Tampa.
Lone goal
Blackhawks forward Dylan Strome scored the first Blackhawks goal of the season at 16:36 of the third period, making it 5-1. Strome, 23, signed a two-year contract extension ($3 million cap hit) with the Hawks the day before training camp began.
First timers
Blackhawks defenseman Ian Mitchell and Hawks center Pius Suter made their NHL debuts on Wednesday.
Mitchell was on the right of veteran D-man Calvin de Haan and logged 17:15 of ice time and recorded a +/- rating of -1.
Suter centered a line with Dominik Kubalik on his left wing and Andrew Shaw on his right and played 12:07, recording three shots on net and a +/- rating of -3.