CHICAGO -- Brad Richards was reminded again Monday why he made the right decision in signing with the Chicago Blackhawks in the offseason.

Richards got his first taste of playing for the Blackhawks before the home crowd Monday. He and his new teammates scrimmaged before a packed house at the United Center.

“Really impressive,” said Richards, who played his previous three seasons with the New York Rangers. “For a red-and-white game, an intrasquad, I haven’t been a part of something like that. So it makes you feel better for choosing to come here. All the stories are true that the fans are amazing. We all know the building’s amazing when you play here, but it’s nice to have the jersey on with them. It’ll be better obviously when it’s a real game.”

The scrimmage was another opportunity for Richards to get to know his new linemates, Patrick Kane and Brandon Saad. None of them scored, but they created a number of chances. Richards did feel bad about catching Kane with a stick to the face.

“We’re just trying to build chemistry on our line,” Richards said. “Had some good looks again, our line. We just, especially myself, could have put a few in the net, but didn’t. Save those for important games. Try not to hit Kaner in the face. Try not to do that too much more. Build chemistry and just work with these guys and get to know and learn them out there.”

Face injuries: Kane and Patrick Sharp took sticks to the face during the scrimmage. Sharp was hit by Matt Carey.

Kane and Sharp each went to the locker room after being struck. Both eventually returned to the ice.

“They both got souvenirs,” Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said. “Nice to see them return.”

Scrimmage result: The White Team defeated the Red Team 5-1 in the scrimmage. Goals were scored by Marcus Kruger (two), Jeremy Morin, Jonathan Toews, Cam Barker and Mark McNeill. Morin and Ben Smith each had two assists.

The most productive line of the game was Morin, Kruger and Smith. Kruger and Smith played together throughout last season on the fourth line. Morin is vying for a spot on that line.

“That line had a good night offensively,” Quenneville said. “When they score, it’s almost a bonus, and a lot of nights the differential in winning the game when you get some production from that group. It’s a nice situation when you do get scoring from them.”