Blackhawks notes: Kane, Toews focused on good start, not uncertain future

Make yourself at home, Blackhawks.

After the pregame fanfare, a hockey season in Chicago began. Another year - as there was one last year, and as there will be another one next year.

But perhaps not for the city's two most beloved hockey players - at least, not while wearing a Hawks sweater.

It's no secret that Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane are in the final 12 months of their contracts, and it's not classified that they might be traded by the deadline as a part of this rebuild.

But tonight, none of that mattered. Tonight was about playing in front of a packed home crowd. Tonight was about hockey.

"It's a home opener, so I think that's always an exciting game regardless of where your team is at or what the expectations are," Toews said after morning skate, "so I'm excited to be back and play in front of our fans in Chicago and hear the United Center at its best tonight. We'll go out there and give them something to cheer for and try and get a big win. I'm not thinking about much more than that right now."

A big win they got, against their Midwestern rival, the Red Wings. Max Domi scored the overtime winner as the Hawks erased a 3-1 third-period Detroit lead and pulled off the 4-3 hometown victory.

But on the topic of this win possibly being his final home opener as a Blackhawk, Kane apparently has given it just as much thought as Toews. Maybe a little less.

"I haven't thought about it," Kane said before the game. "So, just treating it as another year to try and have a good start. And hopefully we can take advantage of this homestand."

So far, they have.

Mrazek hurt:

Petr Mrazek started in net for the Hawks Friday night, but he didn't finish the game. He faced 18 shots in 2 periods and turned away 15, but his play wasn't the reason for his departure; he suffered an injury during play, one that remains to be announced by the team.

"The doctor said they will have to take tonight (and) see how it is tomorrow," Blackhawks head coach Luke Richardson said.

A rare goal:

Athanasiou drew a penalty shot about six minutes into the second period and picked the top right corner with his opportunity, converting only the third Blackhawks penalty shot since the 2014-15 season.

The last two had been by Toews in 2019 against Arizona, and Andrew Shaw in 2015 against the Blues.