Blackhawks beat Blues 4-2 in Kane’s homecoming

Patrick Kane’s homecoming ended with the Chicago Blackhawks’ first win of the season. Chicago beat the St. Louis Blues 4-2 at United Center on Tuesday, Oct. 6, after losing its first three games.

Anton Frondell and Frank Nazar finished with a goal and an assist apiece. Spencer Knight made 26 saves on 28 shots, according to the NHL’s official boxscore. Kane recorded two shots in 20:55 of ice time.

Sam Rinzel’s power-play goal and Frondell’s goal put Chicago ahead 2-1 in the second period. Cole Smith and Nazar scored into an empty net in the final two minutes. Connor McMichael briefly cut the Blues’ deficit to 3-2 with a power-play goal between those empty-netters. Mason McTavish had opened the scoring for St. Louis, and Joel Hofer finished with 17 saves.

Chicago forward Teuvo Teravainen left after the second period with an apparent lower-body injury and did not return, NHL.com reported.

The crowd welcomed Kane with a standing ovation before the game, 19 years to the day after his first NHL home game on Oct. 6, 2007.

Before his introduction, Chicago showed a video of highlights from Kane's time with the club, with the forward providing the narration. He then entered the ice between an illuminated number 88.

"I'll be honest, it's good to be back," Kane said in the video.

Earlier Tuesday, Jonathan Toews and Niklas Hjalmarsson visited Blackhawks Ice Center to see Kane after Chicago's morning skate. Toews met him as he left the ice and later joined him in the dressing room, where the former teammates caught up before the home opener.

Toews, Hjalmarsson and Kane all began their Blackhawks careers in 2007-08 and were part of Chicago's Stanley Cup teams in 2010, 2013 and 2015.

Kane returned to the Blackhawks on a two-year, $16 million contract signed July 23, carrying an average annual value of $8 million. He spent his first 16 NHL seasons in Chicago before playing for the New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings. His return to Chicago follows three seasons in Detroit.