Penguins top Blackhawks 2-0 in first preseason game

Pittsburgh's Chris Kunitz scored a pair of goals in less than seven minutes in the third period and the Penguins beat the Blackhawks 2-0 in the Hawks' preseason opener Wednesday at the United Center.

Scott Darling (33 saves) played the entire game in net for the Hawks and looked like he was in midseason form, stopping 23 shots in the second period alone, many of which came with the Penguins on the power play.

The Hawks' best line was their top one, which had Vinnie Hinostroza and Richard Panik on the wings and Nick Schmaltz at center.

"Vinnie's group certainly had some good spurts there," said assistant coach Kevin Dineen. "More than anything that stuck out."

Panik flashed all night, while Hinostroza and Schmaltz looked comfortable on the top power-play unit. Hinostroza set Schmaltz up perfectly on a third-period PP, but Schmaltz misfired wide right from about 15 feet out.

Hinostroza's best chance came in the first period, but he got in too deep on goalie Jarry Tristan and failed to get off a decent shot.

Defensively, the Hawks best pairing was Brian Campbell and 20-year-old Swede Gustav Forsling. Forsling showed off a big shot in the first period, pumping 3 shots on goal during two power-play chances.

Tyler Motte (4 penalty minutes) and Viktor Svedberg (6 penalty minutes) both had rough games.