The Chicago Blackhawks (18-18-7) look to remain unbeaten in the New Year when they face off with the Washington Capitals (22-16-6) at the United Center on Friday night.
It’s the second and final meeting between the two teams in the 2025-26 season. The Blackhawks won the first matchup 3-2 in a shootout on Jan. 6, just six days ago, at Capital One Arena. Teuvo Teravainen and Ryan Donato were the two goal scorers in the game for Chicago. Captain Nick Foligno potted the shootout winner in the sixth round for the extra point. Spencer Knight stopped 32 of 34 shots faced to earn the win in net. Dylan Strome and Ryan Leonard scored the two goals for Washington.
Last time out, the Blackhawks extended their winning streak to four games with a fantastic 7-3 team victory over the St. Louis Blues. Seven different players recorded a goal in the game — Nick Lardis (PP), Oliver Moore (PP), Connor Murphy, Landon Slaggert, Jason Dickinson, Andre Burakovsky (PP), and Louis Crevier. The power play went 3-for-4, while the penalty kill was a perfect 5-for-5. Knight made 27 saves on 30 shots for his 13th win of the season.
With four consecutive wins and points in five straight games, the Blackhawks (43) are now just three points back of the Los Angeles Kings (46) for the final wildcard playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Anaheim Ducks (45), Utah Mammoth (45), and Nashville Predators (44) are the three teams ahead of Chicago that are also on the outside of the playoff picture.
The Capitals are coming off a 4-1 loss to the Dallas Stars to conclude a three-game homestand on Wednesday. Captain Alexander Ovechkin was the lone goal scorer in the game, netting his 18th tally of the year. Washington is now just 3-5-2 in their last 10 games entering the United Center.
With 50 points through 44 games, the Capitals currently sit one point back of the Buffalo Sabres for the final wildcard position in the Eastern Conference. Washington is fifth in the Metropolitan Division, trailing the Carolina Hurricanes (57 points), New York Islanders (53 points), Philadelphia Flyers (52 points), and Pittsburgh Penguins (51 points).
Here’s everything to note before the puck drops at approximately 7:00 p.m. CT in Chicago.
Blackhawks Regular Season Notes (Last Five Games)
The Blackhawks rallied from an early 2-0 deficit but couldn’t complete the comeback. Bo Horvat scored the lone shootout goal to lift the New York Islanders to a 3-2 win.
What a start to 2026! Ilya Mikheyev scored twice to help the Blackhawks beat the Stars 4-3 at the United Center. It’s Chicago’s second win in five days over Dallas.
Captain Nick Foligno comes up clutch with the first shootout goal of his NHL career to give the Blackhawks a 3-2 win in the Nation’s Capital. Teuvo Teravainen and Ryan Donato also scored in the victory against the Washington Capitals, while Spencer Knight stopped 32 of 34 shots.
It was the Tyler Bertuzzi Show on Sunday, as he carried the Blackhawks to their third consecutive win with a hat trick. Bertuzzi scored all three goals, including the overtime winner, to overcome a late deficit and beat the Vegas Golden Knights 3-2.
What a complete team win! Seven different players scored a goal, and 13 recorded a point in a 7-3 beatdown over the St. Louis Blues. Both special teams units were also spectacular as the Blackhawks’ winning streak reached four games.
Blackhawks Projected Lineup
Forward Lines
Tyler Bertuzzi — Connor Bedard – Andre Burakovsky
Ryan Donato — Jason Dickinson — Ilya Mikheyev
Teuvo Teravainen — Oliver Moore — Nick Lardis
Nick Foligno — Ryan Greene — Colton Dach
Defensive Pairings
Alex Vlasic-Louis Crevier
Wyatt Kaiser-Artyom Levshunov
Matt Grzelcyk-Connor Murphy
Scratched
F — Sam Lafferty, F — Landon Slaggert
Injured
F — Frank Nazar (face)
***
Connor Bedard will return to the Blackhawks lineup for the first time since suffering a shoulder injury on Dec. 12 against the St. Louis Blues. Bedard has missed the last 12 games.
The Hawks didn’t go through line rushing at the morning skate, so the line combinations against Washington are unknown. Chicago is also dealing with illnesses to Ilya Mikheyev, Nick Foligno, and backup goalie Arvid Soderblom, and their statuses for the game are to be determined.
Capitals Projected Lineup
Forward Lines
Alex Ovechkin — Dylan Strome — Anthony Beauvillier
Connor McMichael — Justin Sourdif — Ryan Leonard
Brandon Duhaime — Nic Dowd — Ethen Frank
Brett Leason — Hendrix Lapierre — Sonny Milano
Defensive Pairings
Martin Fehervary-John Carlson
Jakob Chychrun-Matt Roy
Rasmus Sandin-Dylan McIlrath
Scratched
D — Declan Chisholm, D — Trevor van Riemsdyk
Injured
F — Pierre-Luc Dubois (lower body), F — Aliaksei Protas (lower body), F — Tom Wilson (lower body)
Projected Goaltending Matchup
Spencer Knight (13-11-6, 2.62 GAA, .910 Sv%, 2 SO) vs. Logan Thompson (15-12-4, 2.40 GAA, .915 Sv%, 2 SO)
Knight is expected to make his 31st start of the season in net for the Blackhawks. The 24-year-old netminder allowed three goals on 30 shots faced in a win over the Blues in his most recent start on Wednesday. Knight has won each of his last three outings and is 2-2-0 with a 3.29 GAA and .898 Sv% in five career games against Washington.
Thompson is expected to make his 32nd start of the season in net for the Capitals. The 28-year-old allowed three goals on 35 shots faced in a loss to the Stars in his last time out on Wednesday. Thompson is 4-1-2 wth a 1.95 GAA, .932 Sv%, and one shutout in seven career games against Chicago.
2025-26 Schedule/Results vs. Capitals
01/03/26 — 3-2 SOW, Capital One Arena
01/09/26 — United Center
2025-26 Team Stats & Leaders
Chicago Blackhawks:
Goals — Tyler Bertuzzi (22)
Assists — Connor Bedard (25)/Andre Burakovsky (19)
Points — Connor Bedard (44)/Tyler Bertuzzi (34)
GF/GP — 2.86 (23rd)
GA/GP — 3.12 (17th)
PP% — 23% (9th)
PK% — 84.4% (3rd)
FOW% — 46.9% (28th)
Washington Capitals:
Goals — Tom Wilson (22)/Alexander Ovechkin (18)
Assists — John Carlson & Dylan Strome (23)
Points — Tom Wilson (42)/Alexander Ovechkin (37)
GF/GP — 3.25 (10th)
GA/GP — 2.82 (9th)
PP% — 15.3% (31st)
PK% — 77.2% (25th)
FOW% — 49.4% (21st)
How To Watch, Listen, & Game Info
Washington Capitals (22-16-6, 50 points) @ Chicago Blackhawks (18-18-7, 43 points)
7:30 p.m. CT — United Center
Head Coaches: Spencer Carbery (WSH), Jeff Blashill (CHI)
TV/Stream: CHSN (Ball/Pang), NHL Network, SNP, MNMT2
Radio: WGN 720 AM (Wiedeman/Konroyd)
For more Blackhawks news, visit Chicago Hockey Now and like our Facebook Page.
Follow us on X: