A horrendous call from referee Justin Kea proved costly in the Chicago Blackhawks’ 3-2 loss to the Seattle Kraken on Thursday. Neither Connor Bedard nor head coach Jeff Blashill could believe the decision to put the Blackhawks shorthanded late; however, the team should never have been in that position. More in the links for the highlights and takeaways from a frustrating defeat at the United Center.
Also in Blackhawks news, top prospects Marek Vanacker and Roman Kantserov added to their respective league leads in goals, and an update on Sacha Boisvert.
Around the league, the Winnipeg Jets are shopping a former first-round pick, an interesting opinion on the Artemi Panarin contract situation, and Alex Ovechkin recorded a hat trick in the Capitals’ win.
All that & more in the Daily!
Chicago Blackhawks Recap, News & Tidbits
Chicago Hockey Now: From Tyler Bertuzzi and Teuvo Teravainen’s goals, to the unsportsmanlike conduct penalty given to Bedard, here are the highlights and key quotes from the Blackhawks’ 3-2 loss to Seattle. The six-game point streak has been snapped.
More CHN: Blashill, Bedard, and most Blackhawks fans believed there should have been a penalty called on Kraken defenseman Ryan Lindgren late in Thursday’s game. Instead, Bedard wound up being the only player to head to the penalty box after voicing his frustrations. While the Kraken scored the game-winning goal on the ensuing power play, it wasn’t simply Kea’s controversial call that cost the Blackhawks the game.
More CHN: In a defensive group that consists of future cornerstone pieces like Alex Vlasic, Sam Rinzel, Artyom Levshunov, and Wyatt Kaiser, big Louis Crevier has proved his worth early on this season. Despite getting limited offensive chances, Crevier leads all Blackhawks defensemen in goals and is third on the team with eight assists.
In prospects news, Roman Kantserov scored his KHL-leading 19th goal of the season on Tuesday. Kantserov did a tremendous job of recognizing the open ice ahead of him on the power play, and he dropped down low to roof a shot up high off a beautiful pass. The 21-year-old now has 32 points in 29 games this season.
In the OHL, Marek Vanacker picked up his second hat trick of the season in the Brantford Bulldogs’ 5-0 win over the Niagara IceDogs. Vanacker also added an assist for his third four-point showing already this year. The 2024 first-round pick (No. 27 overall) now has a league-leading 21 goals through just 20 games. Vanacker had 24 goals in 45 games last season.
In college hockey, another 2024 first-round pick, Sacha Boisvert, won’t play for Boston University this weekend due to an injury. Boisvert, the former 18th overall selection, has been dealing with a nagging injury throughout his first season with the Terriers. Boisvert has tallied nine points (1G, 8A) in nine games so far in his sophomore campaign.
Sacha Boisvert and Conrad Fondrk will both be out this weekend, per Jay Pandolfo.
“They’re both dealing with some minor injury stuff.” Said it was lingering effects of previous injuries for both players.
— Boston Hockey Blog (@BOShockeyblog) November 20, 2025
NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now
The Athletic: Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini have made massive pushes for Team Canada’s 2026 Olympic roster. But so has 2025 first overall pick Matthew Schaefer, despite turning 18 years old back in September. Does Schaefer have a real case to be part of Canada’s group that heads to Italy in February?
Sportsnet: According to NHL insider Frank Seravalli, the Winnipeg Jets have granted former first-round pick Brad Lambert and his agent permission to seek a trade. The 21-year-old forward has one goal in four games this season and has spent most of his professional career down in the AHL with the Manitoba Moose.
NHL.com: With his 33rd career hat trick on Thursday, Alex Ovechkin has jumped into the top 10 in points in NHL history. The league’s all-time leading goal scorer leaped Joe Sakic for the No. 10 spot with his 1,643rd career point. Congrats, Ovi!
Forever Blueshirts: New York Rangers star forward Artemi Panarin is set to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. When July 1st rolls around, Panarin could be looking to join a new team. One former Ranger and NHL legend believes the “Breadman” could also consider going back to Russia to play in the KHL again. Interesting.
Philly Hockey Now: Outside of Jett Luchanko and Jack Nesbitt, the Philadelphia Flyers are pretty thin down the middle in their prospect pool. Should the Flyers consider acquiring Lambert from Winnipeg?
Colorado Hockey Now: The Colorado Avalanche are coming to the United Center on Sunday, and they have been scorching hot lately. Nathan MacKinnon tallied another three points in the Avs’ 6-3 win over the New York Rangers on Thursday and is now second in points in franchise history. Colorado has won seven consecutive games.
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