Nine Shots in Two Periods: Utah Smothers Chicago 6-0 in Its Opener

Karel Vejmelka got a shutout in Utah's opener on Thursday night, and he'd be the first to say it wasn't hard work. Chicago managed nine shots on goal in the first two periods, and the Mammoth won 6-0.

Dylan Guenther scored twice on the power play, both set up by Clayton Keller. The first came with 3:19 left in the first period, and Michael Carcone followed 40 seconds later with a wrist shot over Arvid Soderblom's elbow.

The second period ended any doubt. Nick Schmaltz tapped in a puck that came off Soderblom's skate, Anders Lee scored in traffic off an Andrew Peeke feed, and Guenther's second power-play goal with 4:32 left made it 5-0. Daniil But added the last one midway through the third.

Anders Lee scored from close range in the second period.

Vejmelka finished with 15 saves. Soderblom made 26 at the other end and didn't get much help.

It's the second time in three seasons Utah has beaten the Blackhawks in its opener. Chicago is 0-2 after losing 5-2 in Vegas on Tuesday.

Both teams are on the road Saturday: the Mammoth at Columbus and the Blackhawks at Buffalo for the Sabres' home opener.