The Chicago Blackhawks (23-28-10) return from their four-game road trip and play their first home game since the Olympic break against the Vancouver Canucks (18-36-7) on Friday night. The last time the Blackhawks played at the United Center was on Feb. 2, 32 days ago.

Friday marks the third and final meeting of the 2025-26 season between the Blackhawks and Canucks, with the two teams splitting the first two matchups. Vancouver stormed back from a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2 in a shootout in the first game on Oct. 17 at the United Center. The Blackhawks took the second game, 5-2, at Rogers Arena just 19 days later on Nov. 5 to even the season series. Tyler Bertuzzi recorded a hat trick to lead the way to victory, while Connor Bedard scored for the first time in his hometown of Vancouver and added an assist. Spencer Knight stopped 43 of 45 shots faced to record the win in net.

Last time out, the Blackhawks surrendered the game-tying goal with 36.8 seconds remaining in regulation en route to a frustrating 3-2 overtime loss to Jonathan Toews and the Winnipeg Jets. Through 45 minutes, the Blackhawks had one of their best full-team performances of the season, especially on the road, only to let it all slip away in the latter stages of the game. Teuvo Teravainen (PP) extended his point streak to four games with his 13th goal of the season, and Ryan Greene recorded the other tally for Chicago.

The Canucks have dropped each of their first four games out of the Olympic break (0-3-1) and are coming off a 6-4 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday. Marco Rossi (PP), Filip Hronek, Brock Boeser (PP), and Nils Hoglander were the goal scorers in the game for Vancouver. Former Blackhawks goaltender Kevin Lankinen allowed four goals on 22 shots faced and was pulled shortly past the midway point of the game.

With 43 points through 61 games this season, the Canucks currently sit dead-last in the NHL standings. Of course, the Blackhawks aren’t too far ahead, as Friday is a matchup between two bottom-five teams. Chicago has 56 points through 61 games and has the fourth-lowest points percentage in the Western Conference.

Here’s everything else to note before the puck drops at 7:30 p.m. CT in Chicago.

Blackhawks Projected Lineup

Forward Lines

Ryan Greene — Connor Bedard – Andre Burakovsky

Ryan Donato — Frank Nazar — Teuvo Teravainen

Tyler Bertuzzi — Oliver Moore — Ilya Mikheyev

Andrew Mangiapane — Sam Lafferty — Landon Slaggert

Defensive Pairings

Alex Vlasic-Louis Crevier

Wyatt Kaiser-Sam Rinzel

Matt Grzelcyk-Artyom Levshunov

Scratched

D — Ethan Del Mastro

Injured

None

***

The Blackhawks held an optional morning skate ahead of Friday’s NHL trade deadline. The forward lines and defensive pairings against Vancouver won’t be known until pregame warmups.

Wyatt Kaiser was activated off injured reserve and will return to the lineup. Kaiser has been out since Feb. 4 with a lower-body injury.

After getting his immigration issues in order, Andrew Mangiapane has arrived in Chicago and will make his Blackhawks debut against the Canucks. Mangiapane recorded 14 points (7G, 7A) in 52 games with the Edmonton Oilers before getting traded to the Blackhawks on Wednesday.

Canucks Projected Lineup

Forward Lines

Nils Hoglander — Elias Pettersson – Jake DeBrusk

Liam Ohgren — Marco Rossi — Brock Boeser

Drew O’Connor — David Kampf — Linus Karlsson

Evander Kane — Teddy Blueger — Max Sasson

Defensive Pairings

Elias Pettersson-Filip Hronek

Marcus Pettersson-Tom Willander

Zeev Buium-Victor Mancini

Scratched

D — Cole Clayton, F — Aatu Raty

Injured

F — Filip Chytil (facial fracture), G — Thatcher Demko (hip surgery), D — Derek Forbort (undisclosed), D — P.O Joseph (upper body), F — Evander Kane (illness)

Projected Goaltending Matchup

Spencer Knight (16-18-8, 2.62 GAA, .908 Sv%, 3 SO) vs. Nikita Tolopilo (3-5-2, 3.27 GAA, .901 Sv%, 0 SO)

Knight is expected to make his 43rd start of the season for the Blackhawks. The 24-year-old allowed three goals on 32 shots faced to record the overtime loss in his most recent start on Tuesday. Knight is 3-0-1 with a 1.44 GAA and .957 Sv% in four career starts against Vancouver.

Tolopilo is expected to make his 10th start of the season for the Canucks. The 25-year-old allowed six goals on 37 shots faced to earn the loss in his most recent start on Monday. Tolopilo has yet to face the Blackhawks in his young NHL career.

2025-26 Results vs. Canucks

10/17/25 — 3-2 L (SO), United Center

11/05/25 — 5-2 W, Rogers Arena

03/06/26 — United Center

2025-26 Team Stats & Leaders

Chicago Blackhawks:

Goals — Tyler Bertuzzi (26)

Assists — Connor Bedard (32)

Points — Connor Bedard (57)

GF/GP — 2.62 (27th)

GA/GP — 3.11 (19th)

PP% — 19.7% (19th)

PK% — 85.9% (1st)

FOW% — 46.9% (30th)

Vancouver Canucks:

Goals — Drew O’Connor (14)

Assists — Filip Hronek (29)

Points — Elias Pettersson (37)

GF/GP — 2.51 (31st)

GA/GP — 3.74 (32nd)

PP% — 18.4% (22nd)

PK% — 70% (32nd)

FOW% — 48.3% (23rd)

How To Watch, Listen, & Game Info

Vancouver Canucks (18-36-7, 43 points) @ Chicago Blackhawks (23-29-9, 55 points)

7:30 p.m. CT — United Center

Head Coaches: Adam Foote (VAN), Jeff Blashill (CHI)

TV/Stream: CHSN (Ball/Pang), SNP

Radio: WGN 720 AM (Wiedeman/Konroyd)

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