The Chicago Blackhawks dropped another close-contested matchup by one goal for the third consecutive game to begin the 2025-26 season on Saturday night. Montreal Canadiens’ defenseman Kaiden Guhle potted the game-winning goal with only 15 seconds left in the third period, ripping the hearts out of the raucous crowd in attendance at the United Center for the team’s home opener. While it was another respectable effort from Chicago’s young roster at even strength, the team’s lack of discipline played a pivotal role in the outcome.
Also in Blackhawks news, a 2025 first-round pick recorded a hat trick over the weekend, while two franchise icons were named the newest Blackhawks Ambassadors.
Around the league, Quinn Hughes already has a Vancouver Canucks franchise record under his belt, while several up-and-coming rookies scored their first NHL goals!
All that & more in the Daily!
Chicago Blackhawks Recap, News & Tidbits
Chicago Hockey Now: The Blackhawks want to play a more intense and scrappier brand of hockey this year. But there’s a fine line between that and being straight-up careless on the ice, and that’s what plagued them in Saturday’s home opener. The Hawks handed the Habs TEN power-play opportunities in the 3-2 loss and have been shorthanded 15 times over their last two games.
More CHN: ICYMI, Chicago assigned defenseman Ethan Del Mastro to the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL over the weekend. Matt Grzelcyk, who signed a one-year deal after entering training camp on a PTO, looks to be locked into the third-pairing left-handed defenseman spot for the time being.
In an incredible night celebrating the Blackhawks’ 100th season as an NHL franchise, the team capped it off by naming Jeremy Roenick and Pat Foley as the latest Ambassadors, joining Chris Chelios, Troy Murray, and Denis Savard.
join us in welcoming Jeremy Roenick and Pat Foley as Blackhawks Ambassadors, alongside Chris Chelios, Troy Murray and Denis Savard!
we’re thrilled to have them be part of our Ambassador program to help celebrate 100 years of Blackhawks hockey and grow the game in Chicago👏… pic.twitter.com/bUtYjsIPII
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) October 11, 2025
PROSPECTS TIME! What a start it’s already been to Vaclav Nestrasil’s college career. After scoring in his NCAA debut with UMass, Nestrasil netted a hat trick on Saturday night in the Minutemen’s 4-1 win on Friday night. The 2025 25th overall selection became the first UMass freshman to tally a hat trick in ten years.
It was also a big weekend for 2024 third-round pick (No. 67 overall) John Mustard, as he found the back of the net for Providence on Friday and Saturday. The 19-year-old sophomore only had seven goals during his freshman season with the Friars, and he’s well on his way to topping that total in 2025-26.
NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now
The Athletic: The season has only just begun, but there are already knee-jerk reactions, way-too-early conclusions, and overly strong opinions being drawn on all 32 NHL clubs.
Daily Faceoff: He’s only 25 years old and playing in his eighth NHL season, but Quinn Hughes has already surpassed Alexander Edler as the leading point scorer among defensemen in Vancouver Canucks history. Hughes recorded an assist to set a new franchise record in a 3-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday.
NHLdotcom: Sam Rinzel wasn’t the only former first-round pick defenseman who scored his first NHL goal on Saturday. The top overall selection in the 2025 NHL Draft, Matthew Schaefer, found the back of the net for the first time and continues to impress with the New York Islanders. The kid is a stud.
More NHLdotcom: Minnesota Wild defenseman Zeev Buium also buried his first NHL goal in the team’s wacky 7-4 defeat to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Joining the first NHL goal party on Saturday was Pittsburgh Penguins’ 2025 first-round pick (No. 11 overall) Ben Kindel, who’s been sharp since the start of the preseason.
Montreal Hockey Now: Here are the highlights and key takeaways from the Montreal Canadiens’ perspective following their 3-2 win over the Blackhawks at the United Center.
Boston Hockey Now: Bruins defenseman Hampus Lindholm exited Thursday’s game against Chicago in the first period and wasn’t able to return. After missing a major chunk of the 2024-25 campaign, Boston fans can breathe easy knowing that Lindholm has been listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury.
Colorado Hockey Now: Another defenseman who’s already suffered an injury, Samuel Girard was recently placed on injured reserve by the Colorado Avalanche. The 27-year-old defenseman is listed as week-to-week.
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