For the third time in as many meetings so far this season, the Chicago Blackhawks (24-29-11) took down the Utah Mammoth (34-25-5), winning 3-2 in overtime at the United Center on Monday. Frank Nazar scored the game-winner on a 4-on-3 power play, getting some redemption after fumbling a breakaway chance just moments earlier.
In fact, redemption was the theme of the night for the Blackhawks en route to victory over Utah. Andre Burakovsky, who’s been struggling mighily over the last two months, yet has predominantly remained on the top line along with Connor Bedard, finally snapped his goal drought, which lasted 19 games. However, Burakovsky’s drought buster could have occurred much earlier in the game, as he whiffed on an open net in the first period that would have put the Blackhawks ahead 1-0.
But much like Nazar, Burakovsky made up for it by taking advantage of a second opportunity, as he scooped up Bedard’s wrister that was fired wide and snuck a shot home at the far post in the second period for his first goal since Jan. 7. Burakovsky looked up into the heavens and gave a massive sigh of relief after finally seeing the puck go in.
“Jesus Christ. I was gonna slap my own head when I missed that first one,” Burakovsky said after the game with a chuckle. “It’s been hard. It’s been hard to find the back of the net. I was kind of annoyed when I missed that [first] one. So it was definitely nice to see one go in for once.”
Then, there’s Andrew Mangiapane, who scored his first goal with the Blackhawks in the first period after Ryan Donato’s wrist shot deflected off his shin pad while driving to the net. Mangiapane was acquired from the Edmonton Oilers less than one week ago as part of a salary cap dump, but he’s proven to be effective in his first three games with his new team. Mangiapane’s lack of consistency with the Oilers cost him a spot on their roster for a Stanley Cup Playoff push, but he’s redeemed himself with some strong play to begin his Blackhawks career.
The only player to record two points for the Blackhawks, Bedard was the most dominant player on the ice at the United Center on Monday. Bedard was robbed by Mammoth goaltender Vitek Vanecek on several occasions, or else he easily could have had a multi-goal performance. In 21:06 of ice time, Bedard had a team-high 11 shot attempts, seven individual scoring chances, five shots on goal, and 0.58 individual expected goals. He didn’t find the back of the net, but played a major part in the Blackhawks rallying from an early 2-1 deficit.
Here are the highlights from the Blackhawks 3-2 overtime win over the Mammoth, improving their record to 24-29-11 through 64 games this season.
FIRST PERIOD
Barrett Hayton opened the scoring for the visitors on Monday, as he impressively deflected Nick DeSimone’s shot from the point at 9:43 to put the Mammoth ahead 1-0. Hayton just had his stick below the crossbar when he made contact with the puck.
Mangiapane answered back for the Blackhawks just over four minutes later, tying the game 1-1 with his first goal as a member of the team! Mangiapane crashed the net with a purpose, and Donato’s shot from the right circle banked in off his equipment and into the net at 13:46.
Ilya Mikheyev➡️Ryan Donato➡️Andrew Mangipane🚨
Mangiapane gets rewarded for going to the net, as Donato’s shot banks in off him for his 1st goal with the #Blackhawks! 1-1.pic.twitter.com/McaOKbqTtB
— Talkin’ Hawkey (@TalkinHawkey) March 10, 2026
Utah managed to regain its lead, however, before the opening period wrapped up. Alex Vlasic committed a rare blunder in the defensive zone, as he skated the puck into traffic and turned the puck over. The Mammoth had a 2-on-1 chance going the other direction, and Clayton Keller made a perfect saucer pass over to Dylan Guenther, whose shot just trickled through Drew Commesso and across the goal line at 16:26. 2-1, Utah.
The score remained 2-1 going into the first intermission, with the Mammoth also leading 9-5 in scoring chances in all situations. Chicago had an 8-6 lead in shots on goal, but not many came from dangerous areas of the ice.
SECOND PERIOD
Ilya Mikheyev had three point-blank chances to tie the game for the Blackhawks early in the second period, but somehow, Vanecek kept the puck from ever getting across the line. Mikheyev followed up on his own rebound, and then got the puck back in front moments later after a great no-look pass from Teuvo Teravainen. His backhanders just wouldn’t sneak through the Mammoth’s backup netminder.
Finally, after a slew of chances throughout the period, Burakovsky tied the game 2-2 with just over four minutes remaining. Burakovsky’s 11th goal of the season was also his first since Jan. 7, which snapped a 19-game goal drought. He looked up to the heavens and sighed in relief during his celebration. With the primary assist, Bedard has now recorded a point in nine of the last 12 games. 2-2.
Ryan Greene➡️Connor Bedard➡️Andre Burakovsky🚨
Burakovsky stuffs home his 11th goal of the season & first since Jan. 7 to tie the game 2-2! He FINALLY snaps his 19-game goal drought. Bedard now has a point in 9 of the last 12 games. #Blackhawkspic.twitter.com/z08mOYp0dI
— Talkin’ Hawkey (@TalkinHawkey) March 10, 2026
The Blackhawks throttled Utah for most of the middle frame, leading 13-6 in scoring chances and 6-1 in high danger chances. The score remained tied 2-2, however, through 40 minutes.
THIRD PERIOD
Vanecek continued to stand on his head early in the third period, as he robbed Bedard once more after a nifty saucer pass from Ryan Greene to find his linemate at the far post. Somehow, the score remained tied 2-2.
Commesso wasn’t too involved for most of the second or third periods, but he was tested a couple of times in the final minutes of regulation. Arguably his best save of the night came on Hayton’s shot from the slot with just under three minutes to go, as the puck deflected off Burakovsky’s stick and on target. Commesso reacted swiftly to stick out his right pad and make the save, keeping the game tied 2-2.
OVERTIME
For the second night in a row, overtime was required to determine the winner. Utah had possession of the puck for nearly the entire first two minutes, but eventually, the Blackhawks forced a turnover and went the other direction.
Vlasic whacked the puck down to the ice and sprung Nazar for a breakaway, only for him to fumble the puck and fail to get a shot off. Absolutely brutal.
Fortunately for Nazar, Nick Schmaltz committed a tripping penalty right after his missed opportunity, sending the Blackhawks to a 4-on-3 power play. Not even one minute into the man advantage, Nazar made up for his previous blunder, rifling a shot past Vanecek to lift the home squad to a 3-2 overtime victory. Nazar also extended his point streak to four games with his ninth goal of the season.
Connor Bedard➡️Teuvo Teravainen➡️Frank Nazar🚨
Nazar rips home the game-winner on the power play to lift the #Blackhawks to a 3-2 OT win & also extend his point streak to 4 games! Bedard with his 2nd assist of the night. HAWKS WIN!pic.twitter.com/l45ami5F9m
— Talkin’ Hawkey (@TalkinHawkey) March 10, 2026
With the win, the Blackhawks have now defeated Utah twice in nine days. Believe it or not, these two teams are set to meet once again on Thursday, making it three meetings in 12 days. Considering the physicality in the latter stages in this one, things could get pretty chippy at the Delta Center in 72 hours.
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