By Townhall Chicago News Staff
The Chicago Blackhawks fell 3-2 to the Florida Panthers on Sunday afternoon at the United Center after a late goal with 2:33 remaining in the third period broke a 2-2 tie.
Ryan Greene and Roman Kantserov scored for Chicago, and goaltender Spencer Knight made 29 saves on 32 shots. The loss came during a seven-game homestand for the Blackhawks.
Greene opened the scoring just 2:34 into the first period, finishing a setup from Andrew Mangiapane and Kevin Korchinski to give Chicago an early 1-0 lead. The goal was Greene’s first of the season and his third point of the year following a 29-point campaign last season, according to the team’s website.
Mangiapane was making his return to the lineup after being activated from injured reserve on Friday.
Florida responded to tie the game and then took a 2-1 lead before Kantserov pulled the Blackhawks even midway through the second period.
Kantserov, a rookie forward, scored his fourth goal of the season on a setup from Patrick Kane and Connor Bedard. The tally came just over a week after Kantserov recorded the first multi-goal game of his NHL career against the Pittsburgh Penguins, according to the team’s recap.
Kane’s assist was the 898th of his NHL career, leaving him two shy of becoming the first American-born player and 21st player in league history to reach 900 assists. Bedard’s helper gave him points in four of his first five games since returning to the lineup, according to the team’s website.
With the game tied at 2-2 through 40 minutes, the Panthers found the decisive goal with 2:33 left in the third period. Chicago was unable to capitalize on its opportunities during the final frame, according to the recap.
The result continued a mixed early stretch for the rebuilding Blackhawks. Young players like Kantserov and Greene have shown flashes, while the returns of Bedard and Mangiapane from injury have added depth.
Kantserov’s four goals in the early going have stood out as a bright spot. The rookie’s emergence adds to a young core that includes Bedard, Korchinski and 2025 first-round pick Artyom Levshunov, who scored an overtime winner against the Winnipeg Jets earlier in the month, according to the team’s news page.
The Blackhawks wrap up their homestand Tuesday when they host the Los Angeles Kings at the United Center.
