It won’t get any easier for Blackhawks rush defense after getting exposed by Vegas

The Chicago Blackhawks struggled defensively against the rush in their season-opening 5-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights in Salt Lake City. Coach Jeff Blashill noted that the Golden Knights generated four two-on-ones, frequently exploiting gaps and transition breakdowns against Chicago's young defense corps.

After Patrick Kane narrowed the deficit to 3-2 in the third period, Vegas immediately responded 39 seconds later with a Noah Hanifin goal off a four-on-two counterattack. Chicago faces more difficult transition challenges ahead against the Utah Mammoth and Buffalo Sabres.