The Blackhawks put up a pair of strong fights in their season-opening two-game road trip, but they will head back to Chicago still without a win. Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar had prime-time scoring chances in overtime to lift Chicago to its first victory, but Bruins’ goaltender Joonas Korpisalo made save after save to spoil those plans.
More in the links for the highlights, key stats, and takeaways from a frustrating 4-3 OT loss for the Blackhawks at TD Garden on Thursday.
Around the league, former Blackhawks captain and three-time Stanley Cup champion Jonathan Toews made his debut with his new team, while several up-and-coming studs scored their first NHL goals.
All that and more in the Daily!
Chicago Blackhawks Recap, News & Tidbits
Chicago Hockey Now: Almost a full 12 hours removed, I’m still not sure how the Blackhawks didn’t put the Bruins away in OT. Here’s a look at Bedard and Nazar’s opportunities that Korpisalo denied in the extra frame. Plus, a few thoughts on an improved performance from the team’s top line.
More CHN: The young and inexperienced Chicago blue line struggled mightily against the Panthers in the opener, but they responded nicely as a whole in Game 2 against Boston. It also helped that Alex Vlasic made his season debut, skating on the top pairing alongside Sam Rinzel.
After spending 910 days away from the game, Jonathan Toews returned to the NHL on Thursday night. Toews appeared in the Winnipeg Jets’ home opener against the Dallas Stars, tallying no points, one shot on goal, and winning seven of 15 faceoffs in the team’s 5-4 OT loss. Toews was unsurprisingly a little rusty, but it’s excellent to see him back on the ice. Even if it is in a Jets’ sweater.
Blackhawks prospect Marek Vanacker‘s red-hot run to begin the 2025-26 OHL season continues. Vanacker scored another two goals in the Brantford Bulldogs’ 7-4 win over Niagara, which now gives him seven points (5G, 2A) in his first four games of the year.
NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now
The Athletic: NBC Sports revealed its 2026 Winter Olympic hockey TV crew on Thursday, and there are a few familiar faces that Blackhawks fans will recognize from previous Chicago broadcasts.
NHL on X: 2025 No. 1 overall pick Matthew Schaefer recorded his first career point, a primary assist on Jonathan Drouin’s goal, in his NHL debut for the New York Islanders. The 18-year-old defenseman became the youngest player in league history to record a point in his debut.
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Speaking of firsts, Pittsburgh Penguins’ 19-year-old Harrison Brunicke potted his first NHL goal in the team’s 4-3 win over the Islanders. A fun night from a few youngsters at PPG Paints Arena.
NHLdotcom: Anaheim Ducks 2024 first-round pick (No. 3 overall) Beckett Sennecke joined the party of firsts, scoring off a feed from Mason McTavish in his NHL debut.
Vegas Hockey Now: Wait, WHAT happened?! Luck was on the side of the Vegas Golden Knights, as Alex Nedeljkovic allowed two of the worst goals you’ll ever see in the final moments of the third period and in OT.
Boston Hockey Now: The Bruins gained another win on Thursday, but they also lost a key defenseman. Hampus Lindholm exited the game early against the Blackhawks and wasn’t able to return.
Montreal Hockey Now: The youngest team in the NHL is the Montreal Canadiens, and the kids led the way to a 5-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings for their first win of the year. Zachary Bolduc and Oliver Kapanen were two Habs’ standouts.
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