Kurashev Scores on Power Play in OT, Blackhawks Hand Vegas Its First Loss, 4-3

Philipp Kurashev's power-play goal at 2:50 of overtime lifted the Chicago Blackhawks to a 4-3 win over the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday, dealing the defending Stanley Cup champions their first loss this season after seven victories.

Connor Bedard scored to tie the game at 2 late in the first period after the Blackhawks came out flat and fell behind 2-0 early. Bedard, who has three goals so far, took three shots on goal and attempted six on a solid night.

Ryan Donato and Taylor Raddysh also connected for Chicago, which skated toe-to-toe with Vegas for 50-plus minutes after the slow start to end a three-game losing streak and improve to 3-5-0.

"After the first seven-eight minutes, I thought we played an excellent game," said defenseman Seth Jones, who logged a game-high 29:07 of ice time. "I thought it was a great team effort tonight – really gritty and great character win for us."

Kurashev netted the game-winner after Alex Pietrangelo's clearing pass hit him in the chest at the blue line. Kurashev then danced down the slot and beat Adin Hill with a high shot for his first goal this season with Corey Perry screening.

“We’re a young team, and we beat the defending champs,” Kurashev said. “So it’s a great confidence boost for us. We can learn a lot from it.”  See video below.

William Karlsson had tripped Bedard 1:03 into OT to set up Chicago's only man advantage of the contest. Kurashev's power-play goal was just the Blackhawks third in 31 chances so far.

In just his second game back from a wrist injury, Kurashev played on the left side of Bedard's line with Nick Foligno on the right.

"Both games, he's been so noticeable," Bedard said "For him to get that one was really exciting. All game, he was buzzing and working plays down low and he had a lot of puck possession. [It's] fun for me to play with him."

Vegas defenseman Shea Theodore tied it at 3 with 8:32 left in regulation from the left circle off a pass from Jack Eichel. The Golden Knights rush started when Jonathan Marchessault knocked Bedard off the puck at the Vegas blue line.

Raddysh had scored 1:11 into the third period to put Chicago ahead 3-2. Theodore fanned on a pass in his own zone moments after the Blackhawks killed off a penalty, then Raddysh jumped on the loose puck and fired it past Hill.

The Blackhawks bounced back with goals by Donato and Bedard 1:19 apart late in the first period to tie it at 2 after the Golden Knights ambushed Chicago and goalie Petr Mrazek early.

Pavel Dorofeyev opened the scoring just 1:35 in, then Karlsson made it 2-0 on a close-in deflection 2:17 later.

Coach Luke Richardson said several players "barked" to scold their teammates about the listless start. Then the Blackhawks pushed back in the second half of the first frame and kept skating. See video.

Donato trailed in and cut it to 2-1 on a low shot from the slot with 6:40 left in the first. He jumped on a rebound of Wyatt Kaiser's drive from the point that bounced off the back boards and was ticked by Perry.

Bedard tied it when he slipped past two Vegas defenders, skated down the slot and took Nick Foligno's nifty one-handed swipe pass off right wing. Bedard ripped his first shot on goal of the game over Hill's glove. https://x.com/MattCNews/status/1718035791119569315?s=20

The scoreless second period was evenly played with Vegas outshooting Chicago 6-4.

The Blackhawks killed all four Vegas power plays, including two in the third period. Chicago has yielded just three opposing power-play goals in 26 chances, an 88.5% kill rate.

Foligno, who turns 36 on Halloween, pulled a spin-o-rama move in the third while driving in against Pietrangelo.

It almost worked. Foligno wristed a shot off Hill's pads, then retrieved the rebound from behind the net. See: https://x.com/CRoumeliotis/status/1718056310875246928?s=20

Coach Luke Richardson gave Mrazek a second straight start after the 31-year-old goalie made 40 saves and kept Chicago close in a 3-0 loss to Boston on Tuesday. 

Mrazek was sharp again in this one, making 18 stops, and was especially alert in the second as Chicago killed off a hooking penalty to Kurashev. 

His best save: a point-blank stop on Paul Cotter. Marchessault also hit Mrazek in the mask with the shot – knocking it off – on a power play late in the third

Defenseman Alex Vlasic left at 7:25 of the second after Brett Howden drove his shoulder into the rookie's head/upper body on a check at the end of a shift. Vlasic crumpled to the ice, then left looking dazed, and didn't return.

The 6-foot-6, 22-year-old D-man has been solid so far, paired with either Jones or Connor Murphy, and has averaged 18:04 of ice time.

Richardson said Vlasic "looked a bit wobbly. We'll just have to let it settle down."