Repeat after us: Teuvo Teravainen is not a savior.
Now that we've got that out of the way, we'll focus on the Blackhawks and NHL debut of the 19-year-old Finnish phenom, who hit the ice against Dallas on Tuesday.
Will he be the next Patrick Kane? It's SO easy to make that leap. Kane first played in the NHL at age 19 just like Teravainen, both are 5-foot-11 and both are known for otherworldly stick-handling skills.
It's too soon to know if the rookie has, say, a Conn Smythe Trophy in his future. But it's not too soon to see if he sparked the Hawks on Tuesday. Kris Versteeg, Duncan Keith, Marian Hossa and Andrew Shaw provided the scoring in the 4-2 victory.
FIRST PERIOD
Played: 3:26
Teuvo time! On his first shift, he wins the faceoff against Dallas' Dustin Jeffrey. Plenty more where that came from. Soon after, he creates a scoring chance by poking the puck to a streaking Ben Smith. Then late in the period, he finds himself on the ice for Andrew Shaw's power-play goal. Which means Coach Q has faith in the kid.
Tone it down: His first attempt at a hit in the NHL is, um, less than effective. He bounces off a Stars player like rain off a windshield. That's what happens when you're only 165 pounds and playing against the big boys.
Score: Blackhawks 1, Stars 0
SECOND PERIOD
Played: 4:15
Teuvo time! The kid rips a slap shot from near the blue line, but it's deflected out of play. We'll never know if that was destined to be Teravainen's first NHL goal. *sniff*
Tone it down: Well that's embarrassing. He trips over his own feet when he would have had a two-on-one break. Chalk it up to stage fright.
Score: Blackhawks 3, Stars 1
THIRD PERIOD
Played: 3:36
Teuvo time! He nearly scores on a waist-high tip from way downtown. There are those great hands everyone's raving about. And when Niklas Hjalmarsson's stick broke, Teravainen handed his to the defenseman.
Tone it down: Welp, fans will have to wait to see Teravainen's first goal, assist, even shot on goal. The Hawks don't play again until Thursday. So. Unfair.
Final score: Blackhawks 4, Stars 2
Want more? Discuss this article and others on RedEye Sports' Facebook page.
