Chicago controlled play early and late, but defensive mistakes and ongoing pairing issues defined their first game without Connor Bedard.
The Chicago Blackhawks were shut out 4-0 by John Gibson and the Detroit Red Wings. The loss gave Blackhawks fans a first look at how this team will play without Connor Bedard. It also gave them a first look at highly anticipated prospect Nick Lardis, who debuted.
Box Score: Red Wings 4 – Blackhawks 0
Red WingsStatsBlackhawks24Shots on goal26355v5 Shot attempts (Corsi)5348.9%5v5 Expected Goals Share (xG%)51.1%0% (0/3)Powerplay Percentage0% (0/3)15Hits3021Blocked Shots75Takeaways213Giveaways1036.4%Face-off Percentage63.6%Stats from NHL.com and Natural Stattrick
Blackhawks vs. Red Wings Summary
Don’t let the numbers above fool you. Although the Blackhawks dominated the analytics in Corsi and expected goals share (really, only the first and third periods), the Hawks struggled to find dangerous scoring chances. Detroit did an excellent job of standing up their blue line and forcing the Hawks to shoot from outside the slot.
The first goal against was scored 55 seconds into the game. Artyom Levshunov got sucked into a puck battle in the corner, leaving space for Alex DeBrincat to score. Levshunov had no business leaving his assignment when Matt Grzelcyk was already battling for the puck. Patrick Kane scored the second goal of the game after DeBrincat pressured a bumbling Connor Murphy at the Hawks’ blueline, creating a two-on-one.
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The second period was the Blackhawks’ weakest effort (a trend this season) as the Red Wings had zero issues standing up their blue line, forcing the Hawks to reload and reattack. The Blackhawks had a 28.63 xG%. Detroit’s third goal, scored by rookie Emmitt Finnie, exposed the Blackhawks man-on-man defensive zone coverage. It looked like both Ryan Greene and Alex Vlasic got caught puck-watching and left Lucas Raymond open. The final goal of the game was an empty-netter from DeBrincat after head coach Jeff Blashill pulled Arvid Soderblom at the five-minute mark.
Dec 13, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Frank Nazar (91) looks to pass the puck against the Detroit Red Wings during the second period at United Center. Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Blackhawks Notes
This might be time to change up some of the defensive pairs. Since Blashill went back to six defensemen, Levshunov has been paired with Grzelcyk. Levshunov needs a more responsible partner to let him play his game and cover for his defensive zone mistakes. Levshunov didn’t look horrible in the offensive zone (the Hawks had a 54.29% Corsi at 5-on-5 when he was on the ice), but it might be time to play him up the lineup with Alex Vlasic. Levshunov played 23:58 minutes (the highest on the team).
Nick Lardis looked solid with eight shot attempts and two shots on goal. He could have had his first NHL goal, but hit the crossbar.
Nazar’s line had positive analytics: a 73% Corsi and a 59 xG% at 5-on-5. Nazar has been going through a goal drought and needs to find that swagger again soon.
While Soderblom would have liked those first two goals back, those were on the defense. He posted an .870 SV%, bringing his season save percentage to an .876%.
The Blackhawks celebrated Chapter 2 of their Centennial Celebration by recognizing the history of the Chicago Stadium. They did a good job with nice touches like changing the Jumbotron to the old Stadium scoreboard, making an organ platform for Frank Pellico, and bringing in Wayne Messmer for the anthem.