Spencer Knight’s first full season with the Chicago Blackhawks has been nothing short of extraordinary so far.
After stopping all 21 shots faced against the New York Rangers on Wednesday, Knight, still only 24, is now 10-6-5 with a 2.50 goals-against average, .916 save percentage, and two shutouts in 21 starts. The former 13th overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft sits fourth in the NHL in save percentage and second in high-danger save percentage among all goaltenders with at least 12 starts. Knight is also second in total saves, and the only netminder with more is the one he outdueled at the United Center in a 3-0 win.
Knight got the better of the 2021-22 Vezina Trophy winner, Igor Shesterkin, in a low-scoring affair on Wednesday, and the two goalies are now tied for third in the league with two shutouts on the year.
“I think he’s one of the best,” Knight said about Shesterkin after the game. “Honestly, he’s unbelievable… it’s cool to play against those guys and see him in person. He’s definitely one of the best goalies in the league.”
The Blackhawks arguably had their best defensive performance as a team this season versus New York. The 21 shots on goal the visitors recorded were tied for the fewest conceded by Chicago in their opening 30 games. Knight was forced to make only four saves over the final 20 minutes, as the Rangers were stymied in the third period and never made a formidable push to get back into the game.
Knight wasn’t relied on too heavily to record his seventh career NHL shutout, thanks to a much-improved defensive performance by the group in front of him. After allowing seven goals and 53 shots in their last outing on Sunday, the Blackhawks responded by giving up 32 fewer shots and keeping the Rangers scoreless on Wednesday.
“I think it’s more a testament to the team than a goalie,” Knight said about getting his second shutout of the season. “I honestly think that’s something people should start looking at; that’s a team win. The team gets the shutout. It’s not me, it’s everyone. For me to take credit for that wouldn’t be right. It’s definitely a team thing.”
It took a full team effort for Knight to blank New York, the NHL’s top road team, but he deserves his share of credit, too. While Shesterkin stonewalled Chicago in the opening 20 minutes, Knight remained calm and collected as always by keeping the Rangers from grabbing an early lead, which has been essential to their success. Entering Wednesday, head coach Mike Sullivan’s squad was 13-2-0 when scoring first this year. The Blackhawks’ No. 1 netminder did a tremendous job of allowing his team to strike first and play with the lead.
Speaking of Sullivan, perhaps Knight’s second shutout of the year couldn’t have come at a better time. Of course, Sullivan is Team USA’s head coach in the 2026 Winter Olympics, which begins in just two months. While performing at a Vezina-caliber level so far, Knight has put himself in contention to be the No. 3 goaltender for the Red, White, & Blue in Milan, Italy. It definitely doesn’t hurt his case that Sullivan witnessed a spectacular showing against his Rangers.
Just last week, Max Bultman, Scott Wheeler, Corey Pronman, and FloHockey’s Chris Peters debated the Americans’ roster for the tournament in a piece for The Athletic. Connor Hellebuyck and Jake Oettinger appear to be locks to make the trip to Milan in February, but a fascinating battle is ensuing between Knight and Jeremy Swayman of the Boston Bruins for the third and final goaltender spot.
While Wheeler and Pronman gave Knight the edge, Peters countered with Swayman’s 25-save shutout in the World Championship Gold Medal Game in addition to his tremendous tournament. The 27-year-old posted a stout 7-0-0 record along with a 1.69 GAA and .921 Sv% in seven games at the World Championship.
Through 20 appearances with the Bruins in 2025-26, Swayman has a 13-7-0 record, a 2.67 GAA, .913 Sv%, and no shutouts. Between the two, Knight has been the better netminder this season, but he doesn’t have the recent experience for Team USA that Swayman does. Not only did Swayman help the Americans win their first Gold Medal at the World Championship in 92 years, but he was also on the roster for last year’s 4Nations Face-Off. Plus, Swayman was the country’s No. 1 goalie at the 2022 World Championship, where he tallied a sturdy 2.23 GAA and .910 Sv% in seven contests.
Going back to August, Knight wasn’t among the four goaltenders invited to Team USA’s Olympic orientation camp. Swayman, Hellebuyck, Oettinger, and Joey Daccord were the four who attended, suggesting it would take a mighty effort from Knight to get himself into the mix.
Knight has done his part by being one of the best goalies in the NHL this season, but ultimately, the four hockey insiders kept him off Team USA’s final roster in their latest projection for The Athletic. Swayman seems to hold a slight advantage at this point, based on his past experiences for the country.
Final rosters aren’t due until early January, so there’s still time for Knight to change Sullivan and USA general manager Bill Guerin’s minds. Wednesday’s 21-save shutout against Sullivan’s Rangers should help his cause.
For more Blackhawks news, visit Chicago Hockey Now and like our Facebook Page.
Follow us on X: