Lehner, Golden Knights shut down Blackhawks 4-1 in opener

Shea Theodore and William Carrier scored 2:17 apart midway through the second period, Robin Lehner made 19 saves against his former team, and the Vegas Golden Knights beat the Chicago Blackhawks 4-1 in Game 1 of their Stanley Cup playoffs first-round matchup on Tuesday night.

Riley Smith scored twice in the third period as the top-seed in the Western Conference kept their scoring outburst from the round-robin seeding games going in the playoff opener. The Golden Knights scored 15 goals in the three seeding games and didn’t slow down against the Blackhawks.

Game 2 is Thursday.

Vegas Golden Knights goalie Robin Lehner loses his skate blade for the second time during the second period against the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020, in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason FransonThe Canadian Press via AP)

Lehner, who was traded from Chicago to Vegas in February, was the backbone of a Golden Knights defense that shut down the Blackhawks. Lehner’s biggest problem was a faulty skate blade that led to delays in the second period.

Chicago’s veteran stars Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith were mostly held quiet. Toews and Kane both hit posts, but combined the trio had just five shots on goal.

David Kampf scored short-handed for the Blackhawks in the second period thanks largely to the work of Brandon Saad forcing a turnover, but that was the extent of Chicago’s scoring.

Chicago Blackhawks' Duncan Keith (2) is checked by Vegas Golden Knights' William Carrier (28) during the second period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020, in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason FransonThe Canadian Press via AP)

Theodore scored his third goal of the postseason, flicking a wrist shot past Chicago goaltender Corey Crawford from the right circle. Minutes later, Carrier jabbed home a loose puck in front of Crawford’s net after Ryan Reeves had thrown the puck on net to give the Golden Knights a 2-0 lead.

Smith assisted on Theodore’s opener before finding the net himself twice in the final 20 minutes. Both goals were assisted by Jonathan Marchessault, the second allowing Smith to skate in free and lift a backhanded shot over Crawford’s glove.

Vegas earned the top-seed in the Western Conference after winning the Pacific Division and going 3-0 in the round-robin qualifying round to determine playoff seeding.

Chicago Blackhawks' Connor Murphy (5) skates by as Vegas Golden Knights' Reilly Smith (19) and Paul Stastny (26) celebrate a goal during the third period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020, in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason FransonThe Canadian Press via AP)

But Chicago was an unexpected first-round opponent for the Golden Knights. The Blackhawks, as the No. 12 seed, were impressive in dispatching heavily-favored Edmonton in four games in the qualifying round.

NOTES: Vegas F Max Pacioretty made his postseason debut after being slowed by a minor injury. Pacioretty led Vegas with 32 goals and 66 points this season. ... The game was stopped for several minutes early in the second period after Lehner lost the blade on his left skate after banging it into the goal post. Lehner needed additional work on the skate later in the period during a timeout and had the blade come off the skate again late in the period during a Chicago power play.

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Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford (50) makes the save on Vegas Golden Knights' William Carrier (28) as Blackhawks' Calvin de Haan (44) defends during the second period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020, in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason FransonThe Canadian Press via AP)

Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford (50) makes the save on Vegas Golden Knights' Paul Stastny (26) during the second period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020, in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason FransonThe Canadian Press via AP)

Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford (50) waits as the Vegas Golden Knights celebrate a goal during the second period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020, in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason FransonThe Canadian Press via AP)

Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford (50) looks back after a goaly by Vegas Golden Knights' William Carrier (28) during the second period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020, in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason FransonThe Canadian Press via AP)