Canucks, Thatcher Demko Blank Blackhawks 2-0

Norris Trophy frontrunner Quinn Hughes and Pius Suter scored early for Canucks. Chicago's Nick Foligno was jumping in return from a broken finger as the Blackhawks came on late but couldn't connect.

It was supposed to be a celebratory homecoming for NHL leading rookie scorer Connor Bedard.

Instead, the injury-depleted Chicago Blackhawks were shut out by Thatcher Demko and the NHL-leading Canucks in Vancouver on Monday night.

Bedard, from across the harbor in North Vancouver, B.C, stayed in Chicago as he recovers from a broken jaw. The NHL's top draft pick of 2023 will have to wait until next season to skate against his hometown team at the Rogers Arena.

Even with an energetic return by de facto captain Nick Foligno from a broken left ring finger, the Blackhawks couldn't find a way to beat Demko in the first of a four-game trip. Demko held the fort late to post his fifth shutout of the season, tied for tops in the NHL with Pittsburgh's Tristan Jarry and Arizona's Connor Ingram.

The Canucks came out buzzing early, scoring twice in the opening 6:40 against Petr Mrazek and then held behind Demko to beat the Blackhawks for a second time this season to improve to 68 points. Vancouver won 4-3 at the United Center on Dec. 17.

"That's the best team in the league and I think it was little bit of them and a little bit of us," Chicago coach Luke Richardson said of the Canuck's quick start. "They flexed their muscle and showed why they're the No. 1 team in the league."

Aided by five power-plays, Chicago came on late and outshot Vancouver 31-29. Still, the Blackhawks were blanked for the fifth time this season.

"Our determination the rest of the way was good," Richardson said. "We out-chanced them actually in the game. Unfortunately we're just not finding that finish right now."

Pius Suter opened the scoring just 1:47 on a one-timer from the low edge of the right circle. He was set up by Andrei Kuzmenko's pinpoint cross-ice pass.

Norris Trophy frontrunner Quinn Hughes made it 2-0 just under 5 minutes later with his 12th goal. The fleet defenseman pinched down the left boards and threaded a short-side shot over Mrazek's shoulder after the goalie had dropped to his knees.

The 24-year-old Hughes leads NHL D-men with 57 points, just ahead of Colorado's swift Cale Makar.

Chicago stopped the bleeding however, and started to mount some pressure on Demko.

Colin Blackwell broke in alone with about 8 minutes left, but fired just wide of a sprawling Demko. The goalie stopped Foligno point-blank and Philipp Kurashev on a prime chances during a late Chicago power play to preserve the shutout.