Chicago Blackhawks fans celebrated Jonathan Toews’ return to the United Center for the first time on Monday night as the Blackhawks shut out Toews’ Winnipeg Jets 2-0. (Photo courtesy of the Chicago Blackhawks)

The Chicago Blackhawks came into the action Monday night looking to get back into the win column. They had just lost three in a row, and four of their last five games overall. Their last win came in Nashville over a week ago Saturday, so getting out and playing well was something they would need to do against a lowly Winnipeg Jets team that has seriously underperformed all year. Jonathan Toews made his return to the United Center ice in a visitors’ sweater, and it was a bittersweet thing to see as a Blackhawks fan. Spencer Knight got the start in goal, and the Blackhawks’ lines were as follows:

#Blackhawks morning skate lineup:
Greene-Bedard-Dach*
Bertuzzi-Dickinson-Mikheyev
Donato-Moore-Lardis
Lafferty-Foligno-Slaggert

Vlasic-Crevier
Kaiser-Levshunov
Grzelcyk-Murphy

Knight
Soderblom

Not on the ice: Burakovsky*
Out: Nazar, Teravainen (upper-body)

— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) January 19, 2026

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First period

For a period without scoring, the first period had some good action. Both teams managed 12 shots apiece, with some decent chances for both squads, but nothing too dangerous for either goaltender. The Blackhawks got the game’s first power play, and a 5-on-3 opportunity at that. They were unable to convert, with Tyler Bertuzzi getting the best chance right in front of the net, but he was unable to get the puck past Connor Hellebuyck. The period would end in the same 0-0 tie that it started with.

Second period

The Jets got their first big chance on a play set up by Toews. He made a great pass in front to Cole Perfetti, who got a great opportunity in tight, but could not convert. A few minutes later, Dylan Samberg skated right in with the puck. The puck was loose in the crease after his shot, but Knight was able to keep the puck out, despite the crowd forming in front of him. In what seemed like a harmless play, Ryan Donato hoisted the puck out of the defensive zone. Jason Dickinson picked it up in the offensive zone, taking it away from the Jets’ defense. He ripped a wrister past Hellebuyck, making it 1-0 Blackhawks.

lamp: lit🔥 pic.twitter.com/3ZAQwc3itr

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) January 20, 2026

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The Blackhawks got a late power play in this period as well. Connor Bedard had a tremendous chance from the right circle that was saved by a diving Hellebuyck to keep it a 1-0 game. The period would end with the Blackhawks holding onto that slim lead.

Third period

With two and a half gone in the third, the Blackhawks got their best opportunity arguably all game. Nick Lardis had a beautiful feed from the back of the net in front. Landon Slaggert got his stick on it, but could not raise it over the pad of Hellebuyck, who kept it out to keep it a one-goal game. Despite 11 more shots in the third, the Jets could not really get anything going. Bedard would end things with an empty-netter to ice the game, giving the Blackhawks the 2-0 win.

Analysis

This game seemed to be played by two decently matched teams. The Blackhawks are a young team on the beginning part of the upswing, and the Jets are definitely a veteran team in decline. Toews had a couple great plays in his return to the United Center ice, coming out first to cheers and applause for all of his efforts in a Blackhawks uniform over the years. Knight stood tall in this game, but did not appear to be tested too many times. Chicago did a good job winning faceoffs and blocking shots defensively to take the victory in this game.

The Blackhawks’ next game is on Thursday night in Raleigh to take on the Carolina Hurricanes. That game will be at 6 p.m. CST on ESPN+ and Hulu.

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