Connor Bedard Strikes Quickly at Home, But Blackhawks Fall to Golden Knights 5-3.

Connor Bedard wasted no time in scoring his first goal at home as a Chicago Blackhawk against the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday.

The NHL's heralded top draft pick of 2023 ripped in a power-play score from the slot just 1:30 into the first period. Bedard beat Adin Hill under the glove with a shot from the slot after taking Taylor Hall's feed off the back boards. See: https://x.com/NHLBlackhawks/status/1715886537567576536?s=20

But defending Stanley Cup champion Vegas answered the early excitement at the United Center and rolled to a 5-3 win. William Karlsson, Jonathan Marchessault, Nicolas Roy, Mark Stone and Paul Cotter scored as the Golden Knights improved to 6-0 to extend the best start in their seven-year history.

Vegas became the first team to begin the defense of a Stanley Cup with six straight victories.

Reese Johnson and Corey Perry also for Chicago, which dropped to 2-4. Bedard discusses his first home goal in the following video.

Bedard Blames Self for Coverage Breakdown

Roy fired into a half-open net just 13 seconds into the third to snap a 2-all tie and finish a 2-on-1 break with Keegan Kolesar. Rookie Chicago defenseman Kevin Korchinski was the lone Blackhawks back following a coverage breakdown with both Bedard and Seth Jones getting caught up the ice.

Bedard took responsiblity.

"Obviously that third goal was definitely my fault," Bedard said. "You can't start a period like that. So that's something I've gotta' be better in and I know that, and everyone knows that."

Stone made it 4-2 from the edge of the crease with 6:13 left. Cotter fired in Vegas' second power-play goal of the night with 3:52 remaining to up it to 5-2 before Perry scored with 15 seconds to go.

"We clawed and fought with a really good team for 40 minutes, but it's just disappointing to start the third period like that," coach Luke Richardson said. "Playing from behind against an experienced, heavy team like that is really wearing."

First Top Draft Pick to Score in Home Opener in 10 Years.

Bedard tallied on the first shot of the game to become the first top draft pick to score in his team's home opener since Nail Yakupov for Edmonton on Jan. 22, 2013 to start a lockout-shortened season.  Bedard finished with one shot and four shot attempts after being held without a shot attempt in Chicago's 4-0 loss to the Avalanche at Denver on Thursday. 

"It's always nice to get that and get it quick," said Bedard, who has two goals and two assists in his first six NHL games. "It was big for our power play, I think to see one go.

"Obviously now it doesn't feel as good, but in the moment it was great."

The lead didn't last long. Karlsson evened it at 1 with a power-play score of his own 2:35 later.

Marchessault put Vegas ahead 2-1 at 7:30 of the third on a 30-foot shot that hit Arvid Söderblom's pads, but tricked underneath and into the net.

Johnson tied it 2-all 1:20 later on a deflection of Connor Murphy's shot from the right points. The puck struck the shaft of Johnson's stick about waist-high and bounced down and past Hill.

Pregame Red Carpet Walk

Bedard joined his teammates in the team's annual season-opening player red carpet walk outside the United Center. The 18-year-old center was trailed closely by the team's longtime security director, Brian Higgins.

Bedard got the loudest cheers from a near-sellout crowd of 19,867 when he was introduced on the ice.

Bedard's early goal had the arena thundering before both teams settled into a game that ebbed and flowed and was scrambly at times.

Bedard talked about the energetic reception he got from Blackhawks fans in the following video.

Tribute to Late Rocky Wirtz

In a pregame video presentation, the Blackhawks paid tribute to late team chairman and owner Rocky Wirtz, who died on July 25 at age 70. https://www.nbcsportschicago.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/blackhawks-videos/blackhawks-pay-tribute-to-rocky-wirtz-before-home-opener/514064/

During the presentation, Wirtz's son, Danny, and other family members embraced in Section 119 of the United Center in seats that were Rocky's favorites. An empty chair on the aisle had "Rocky" draped in black on its back and a bouquet of yellow roses was placed on the seat.

The team has announced plans to open a bar, called Rocky's, near the section in December. The Wirtzes and Wirtz Corporation own Breakthru Beverage, a major liquor distributor.