SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Hockey Club never trailed on first-period goals from Dylan Guenther and Clayton Keller and held off a late rally to beat the Chicago Blackhawks 5-2 in the season opener for both teams on Tuesday night.

Guenther finished with two goals after adding an empty-netter in the final minute. Barrett Hayton added a second-period goal and an assist for Utah. Lawson Crouse closed out the scoring with 22 seconds left.

Teuvo Teravainen and Nick Foligno each scored for Chicago to help reduce a 3–0 deficit.

Guenther scored the first goal in Utah franchise history after hitting a slap shot in the middle five minutes of the first period.

Hayton’s tip-in made it 3-0 Utah before the Blackhawks rallied. Foligno pulled Chicago within a goal after tipping the puck with 15:12 left in the third. Connor Ingram made 25 saves for Utah and Petr Mrazek had 20 for Chicago.

Takeaways

Blackhawks: Chicago turned up the heat offensively in the second period after a listless first period, generating 11 shots on goal. The Blackhawks couldn’t capitalize on enough of those opportunities.

Utah HC: Utah did well on power play defense, denying the Blackhawks with three penalties.

Key moment

Hayton tipped the puck over Mrazek’s shoulder midway through the second period. It gave Utah just enough space until Guenther sealed the victory with an empty-net goal with 41.9 seconds left.

Key stat

Keller has eight career points (four goals, four assists) in season-opening games. He is the only Utah player with a 30-goal season under his belt, reaching that mark in each of his last two seasons in Arizona.

Next

The Blackhawks continue their season-opening four-game road trip in Winnipeg on Friday, while Utah Hockey Club begins a four-game road swing at the New York Islanders on Thursday.