CHICAGO, Oct. 1 (UPI) -- Johnny Oduya netted the go-ahead goal in the third period Tuesday and defending NHL champion Chicago began its 2013-14 season with a 6-4 win over Washington.
The Blackhawks were trailing 4-3 with 12:05 remaining in the game when Brandon Saad converted a pass at the net from Michal Handzus for the equalizer.
Then with 6:07 left, Oduya launched a slapshot from the left circle that deflected off the stick of the Capitals' Joel Ward, went off goalie Braden Holtby's pad and into the net for the decisive tally.
Saad added two assists while Brandon Bolig, Patrick Kane, Brent Seabrook and Marion Hossa also tallied for the Hawks, who raised their 2012-13 Stanley Cup championship banner in a pre-game ceremony.
Corey Crawford stopped 28 shots to record the win.
Mikhail Grabovsky supplied a three-goal hat trick and added an assist for the Caps.
Holtby turned aside 29-of-34 shots for Washington.
