Jack Eichel hits 700 points as Golden Knights spoil Patrick Kane’s return

Jack Eichel opened the season by hitting a major milestone, recording a goal and two assists to push his career total to 701 points in a 5-2 Vegas Golden Knights win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday night in Las Vegas. The result also delivered a first NHL head‑coaching victory for Ryan Craig in his debut behind the Golden Knights bench.

Balanced Vegas attack backs Eichel and Craig

Eichel was at the centre of a balanced offensive night for Vegas, which got goals from Victor Olofsson, rookie Trevor Connelly, Noah Hanifin and captain Mark Stone. Goaltender Carter Hart turned aside 24 shots to secure the season‑opening win.

Olofsson struck first midway through the opening period, converting on the power play with a wrist shot that beat Spencer Knight high from the far side. Later in the frame, Connelly made an immediate impression in his NHL debut by lifting a rebound over Knight’s pads to give Vegas a two‑goal cushion.

Craig steps into the top job after six seasons as a Golden Knights assistant and three years running their AHL affiliate in Henderson. He inherits a veteran group that went all the way to the Stanley Cup Final last season, and on opening night his team showed scoring depth despite the off‑season trade of Pavel Dorofeyev, who led Vegas with 37 goals last year, including 20 on the power play.

Kane scores in return, but comeback falls short

Chicago cut into the deficit late in the second period when Jordan Greenway fired from the right circle and beat Hart to make it 2-1. Early in the third, Patrick Kane, back with the franchise he helped guide to three Stanley Cup championships, drew the Blackhawks within one again by finishing a backhand chance.

Vegas answered quickly. Hanifin restored the two‑goal lead not long after Kane’s marker, halting Chicago’s push. Stone then added an empty‑netter in the final minutes to round out the scoring and ensure the Blackhawks left T‑Mobile Arena without points.

Knight faced heavy pressure throughout the night, stopping 32 of 37 shots for Chicago. The Blackhawks continue to navigate the early part of their schedule without Connor Bedard, who is recovering from shoulder surgery and is not expected to return until at least late October.

Bedard sidelined as Blackhawks and Knights look ahead

Bedard’s absence leaves a significant hole in Chicago’s offence as the team tries to stay competitive in the opening weeks. The Blackhawks will move on to Utah for a road game Thursday, looking to regroup after their first loss of the season.

Vegas, meanwhile, will try to build on its strong start when it hosts the Anaheim Ducks on Friday. With Eichel hitting a new personal benchmark and Craig earning his first win, the Golden Knights signalled that they intend to remain a threat in the Western Conference even after key roster changes.