Demko makes 29 saves, Canucks deny Blackhawks first win

CHICAGO -- Thatcher Demko made 29 saves for the Vancouver Canucks to hand the Chicago Blackhawks a fifth loss to start the season, 4-1 at United Center on Thursday.

Conor Garland had a goal and an assist, and Brock Boeser scored on the power play for the Canucks (2-2-1), who lost their previous two games.
"It was a good bounce-back game," Demko said. "There was some stuff we wanted to clean up from Buffalo (a 5-2 loss Tuesday). It's a good 60 minutes, I thought. We sustained our style for the full 60, which is something we're trying to evolve with. A lot of good things tonight.
"I think 'statement' is actually the perfect word for it. We're not trying to prove anything to anyone outside off our room, but it's important for our group to all be on the same page with that stuff. I think that's where the standards come from. Last year wasn't good enough for our group. We need to make sure that we're not falling into those patterns again."
Alex DeBrincat scored for the Blackhawks (0-4-1) who have been outscored 17-3 at 5-on-5 and have not held a lead for 300:57. Kevin Lankinen made 21 saves.
"We've got to shoot the puck more, got to be at the net, give ourselves a chance to score a dirty goal, let the puck go in off you, create a rebound," Chicago coach Jeremy Colliton said. "When they're pinching their D, let's win a puck battle so we can create a 2-on-1. We were pinching our D the first three games and they were winning battles and going 2-on-1 the other way. We can do that too. There's little things you can do and ultimately we've got to give ourselves a chance to get a bounce.
"I feel like we haven't generated enough of those second opportunities, those deflections, those rebound goals. Not enough pressure around the net and then when you have it there, you've got to put the puck there. That's something we've talked about."
Jason Dickinson gave Vancouver a 1-0 lead at 6:36 of the first period from the left circle following a pass from Matthew Highmore, who was acquired in a trade with Chicago in April.

DeBrincat tied it 1-1 at 8:26 on the power play after he took a pass in the left circle from Patrick Kane.
Tanner Pearson put the Canucks back in front 2-1 at 9:55 of the second period when he redirected a shot from the blue line by Quinn Hughes.
"We've got some skill in our group," Vancouver coach Travis Green said. "You can't play the game on the outside. Certain guys are more capable than others and play different types of games. There's no secret to that either. Big goal."
Boeser capitalized on a two-man advantage when he scored on a rebound at 18:21 of the second to make it 3-1.
"A two-goal lead is huge," Boeser said. "When you get a 5-on-3, it's really important to cash in on it."
Garland scored an empty-net goal with 1:02 left for the 4-1 final.

Kane was honored before the game for playing his 1,000th NHL game, a milestone he reached March 9 at the Dallas Stars. The Blackhawks waited to honor Kane until a capacity crowd could be present.
"It's amazing," Kane said. "The Hawks did such a good job of making sure the family was included, everyone was safe and it could be a nice night for me.
"It was a nice little ceremony. Would have made the night better if we got a win, but it was a pretty special moment. One that I'll never forget."
NOTES: With an assist, Hughes got his 100th NHL point. He had four shots on goal in 22:06 of ice time after missing the game Tuesday because of a lower-body injury. … Blackhawks forward Dylan Strome had one shot in 13:12 after being scratched the first four games. … Chicago forward Mike Hardman is in concussion protocol after he was checked into the boards by New York Islanders forward Matt Martin on Tuesday. … Blackhawks assistant Tomas Mitell missed the game due to COVID-19 protocols. He was replaced on the bench by player development adviser Chris Kunitz.