For the third time in as many meetings this season, the Chicago Blackhawks went toe-to-toe with the Minnesota Wild, one of the top teams in the NHL, only to fall short by one goal. Just like the first two matchups, the Blackhawks were on the wrong end of a 4-3 final in overtime at the United Center on Tuesday.
While the Blackhawks have earned a point in all three games against Minnesota in 2025-26, with two overtime losses and one shootout defeat, they’ve still only defeated their Central Division “rival” once in the last 19 meetings, dating back to February 2020. On the flip side, the Wild have now earned a point in 19 consecutive games against Chicago, and 10 in a row at the United Center. It’s tough to call it a rivalry when one side consistently comes out on top.
To their credit, the Blackhawks could have mailed it in after falling behind 3-1 through 20 minutes, as the Wild were in full control and showed no signs of slowing down. Especially after a lousy 4-0 loss in their last appearance on Saturday in Las Vegas, it would have been easy for a remarkably young group to get down on themselves. All that early-March momentum, with a point earned in five of their first six games of the month, seemed to have vanquished. Minnesota led 19-5 in scoring chances in the first period.
But over the final 40 minutes of regulation, the Blackhawks dug deep and battled their way back into the fight, giving the Wild, currently the fourth-best team in the league, a run for their money. Ryan Greene scored a clutch goal to cut the deficit to one shortly before the second intermission, and then Connor Bedard connected with Frank Nazar for the game-tying tally with 100 seconds to go in regulation. During those final two periods, the Hawks led 18-10 in scoring chances and 10-5 in high-danger chances. Quite an impressive turnaround against a formidable foe.
While the night ended in frustrating fashion, as Mats Zuccarello lifted the Wild to a third consecutive 4-3 overtime win against the Blackhawks, there are many reasons for Jeff Blashill’s inexperienced squad to feel confident going into the season finale on Thursday. That’s right, these two teams face off once again in 48 hours for the back end of a quick home-and-home series.
The Blackhawks have been close to taking down the Wild in all three meetings this year, and perhaps their constant heartbreaks will movitate them to finishing the job in two days at Grand Casino Arena.
Here are the highlights from the Blackhawks’ 4-3 overtime loss, dropping their record to 25-30-12 through 67 games this season.
FIRST PERIOD
Former Blackhawks first-round pick and Chicago Suburbs native Ryan Hartman opened the scoring on Tuesday, because of course. Hartman finished off a feed from Kirill Kaprizov after getting lost in coverage, giving the Wild a 1-0 lead at 6:17. It’s Hartman’s fifth career goal against the team that drafted him 30th overall in the 2013 NHL Draft.
Less than two minutes later, Marcus Johansson doubled Minnesota’s advantage after a fortuitous bounce in front. Spencer Knight’s rebound deflected off Michael McCarron and found Johansson at the right circle to put the Wild ahead 2-0 at 7:58.
Louis Crevier got the Blackhawks on the board at 10:47, recording one of the hardest shots in the NHL this season in the process. Crevier took in a pass from Frank Nazar while crossing the blue line and wired a 102-mile-per-hour slap shot that beat Gustavsson cleanly. The 6-foot-8 defenseman’s fifth goal of the season cut Minnesota’s lead in half. 2-1.
Wyatt Kaiser➡️Frank Nazar➡️Louis Crevier🚨
Crevier takes matters into his own hands & blasts a slap shot for his 5th goal of the season to cut the #Blackhawks deficit in half! 2-1. Nazar now has a recorded a point in 6 of the last 7 games🙄😂pic.twitter.com/3fp01ccPaR
— Talkin’ Hawkey (@TalkinHawkey) March 18, 2026
But after Andrew Mangiapane was whistled for cross-checking at 16:41, Minnesota regained its two-goal advantage shortly before the period concluded. Vladimir Tarasenko launched a wrist shot from the left circle over Knight’s glove at 18:30, putting the Wild ahead 3-1. That was Tarasenko’s 21st career goal against the Blackhawks.
The Wild were firmly in control for most of the opening period, leading 17-7 in shots on goal, 19-5 in scoring chances, and 13-1 in high-danger chances.
SECOND PERIOD
Over the final 10 minutes in the second period, the Blackhawks finally found their game and cut the deficit to one once again. Crevier fired a shot on net from the point, and after Bedard whacked away at the rebound, the puck eventually slid to Ryan Greene at the far post. Greene put home his ninth goal of the season at 14:32, while Crevier recorded his second point of the game with the assist. It’s Crevier’s fourth multi-point game of the year. 3-2.
Louis Crevier➡️Connor Bedard➡️Ryan Greene🚨
Greene for St. Paddy’s! Greene finds a rebound for his 9th goal of the season to cut the #Blackhawks deficit to 3-2. Bedard now has a point in 6 straight games vs. MIN. Crevier with his 2nd point of the night.pic.twitter.com/ZbyX5cfLoe
— Talkin’ Hawkey (@TalkinHawkey) March 18, 2026
After getting pounced on in the first period, the Blackhawks had an impressive turnaround in the second, leading 11-7 in scoring chances and 6-3 in high danger chances. The momentum was on their side entering the second intermission, although Minnesota still led 3-2 on the scoreboard.
THIRD PERIOD
After getting shut down for most of the final period, three Blackhawks former first-round picks connected for the game-tying tally with under two minutes remaining. Artyom Levshunov sent a perfect stretch pass up ice, and then Bedard found a streaking Nazar with a cross-ice pass for his 10th goal of the season at 18:20. Both Bedard and Nazar earned their second points of the night. 3-3.
Artyom Levshunov➡️Connor Bedard➡️Frank Nazar🚨
Levshunov makes a great stretch pass, and then Bedard finds Nazar driving to the net for his 11th goal of the season to tie the game 3-3! Both Nazar & Bedard earn their 2nd points of the game. #Blackhawkspic.twitter.com/DGZLJrszHo
— Talkin’ Hawkey (@TalkinHawkey) March 18, 2026
OVERTIME
Both sides recorded at least one point, as overtime was required for the third time in as many tilts between Chicago and Minnesota this season.
The Wild capitalized on Levshunov, Greene, and Tyler Bertuzzi being trapped on the ice for a significant stretch of time, cycling in the offensive zone for over a minute before potting the game-winning goal. Eventually, Johansson found Mats Zuccarello open in the slot, and he fired a shot into the far corner to give Minnesota yet another 4-3 overtime victory.
Despite the overtime loss, the Blackhawks have now earned a point in six of their first eight games to begin March. They return to action next on Thursday in Minnesota, where the season series with the Wild wraps up.
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