Rinzel and Frondell score, Blackhawks beat Blues 4-2 in Kane's return to
Chicago
[October 07, 2026]
By MATT CARLSON
CHICAGO (AP) — Sam Rinzel and rookie Anton Frondell
scored 2 minutes apart in the second period and the Chicago Blackhawks
held on in their home opener for their first win of the season, 4-2 over
the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday night. |

Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Artyom Levshunov (55) celebrates a goal by
center Anton Frondell against the St. Louis Blues during the second
period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026, in Chicago. (AP
Photo/David Banks) |
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Patrick Kane played his first home game with the Blackhawks
since signing a two-year, $16 million contract in July. The
37-year-old forward received a pregame video tribute and a
roaring welcome from a sold-out United Center crowd in his
return to the team for which he played his first 17 seasons.
Cole Smith scored a short-handed, empty-net goal with 1:09 left
to make it 3-1, but Connor McMichael whipped in a power-play
goal with 38 seconds left and goalie Joel Hofer on the bench to
cut it to 3-2.
Frank Nazar slid in another empty-netter with 4 seconds
remaining.
Spencer Knight made 25 saves for Chicago, which had lost its
first three games on the road while being outscored 15-5. Knight
stopped Pavel Buchnevich on a breakaway late in the second, and
was sharp in the third to keep Chicago ahead.
Mason McTavish also scored for the Blues (1-2). Hofer stopped 17
shots.
St. Louis' Colton Parayko played in 803rd NHL game, matching
Barret Jackman for the most in franchise history among
defensemen and second overall behind forward Bernie Federko (927
games).
Blackhawks forward Teuvo Teravainen was injured in the second
period and didn’t return.
Rinzel drifted to the slot and popped in a rebound of Nazar’s
shot to tie it 1-all at 5:40 of the second as a Chicago power
play expired.
Frondell put Chicago ahead, firing in a one-timer from the right
side off a feed from Artyom Levshunov.
Up next
Blues: Host San Jose on Thursday.
Blackhawks: At the New York Islanders on Thursday.
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