Another road trip begins for the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday, as they face off with Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers. The trip rolls into Seattle on Saturday and San Jose on Monday, which will be the Hawks’ final road game of the 2025-26 regular season.
While two defensemen have already been ruled out for the rest of the year, head coach Jeff Blashill provided a positive injury update regarding two banged-up forwards before the team traveled to Edmonton.
Also in Blackhawks news, Roman Kantserov and Magnitogorsk cruised through their first-round playoff series, while another high-end draft pick inked his entry-level contract and turned pro.
Around the league, Macklin Celebrini led the Sharks to a late comeback, the Kings earned a crucial overtime victory to get back in playoff position, and Nathan MacKinnon potted his 50th goal of the season.
All that & more in the Daily!
Chicago Blackhawks Recap, News & Trade Rumors
Chicago Hockey Now: Tyler Bertuzzi set a new career-high in goals after scoring twice against the Winnipeg Jets, while Anton Frondell potted his first NHL goal in his United Center debut. Plenty of positives, despite the Blackhawks suffering their fifth overtime loss in March.
More CHN: Goalie prospect Adam Gajan is the latest draft pick under GM Kyle Davidson to sign his entry-level contract, as he’s officially turned pro after a stellar sophomore season of college hockey.
More CHN: ICYMI, head coach Jeff Blashill announced that defensemen Artyom Levshunov and Matt Grzelcyk are slated to miss the rest of the regular season. Kevin Korchinski and Ethan Del Mastro will receive extra opportunities to close out the year.
While Levshunov and Grzelcyk’s seasons are over, Blashill said on Wednesday that forward Oliver Moore is working hard to get back from injury before the 2025-26 campaign concludes. Blashill also said that Andrew Mangiapane, who’s missed the last seven games with an upper-body injury, will travel with the team during the upcoming road trip.
Sounds like Oliver Moore is still working to get back before the end of the season according to Jeff Blashill
Andrew Mangiapane will be on the trip with the team but will not play tomorrow vs Edmonton
— CHGO Blackhawks (@CHGO_Blackhawks) April 1, 2026
In KHL news, Roman Kantserov and Metallurg Magnitogorsk are onto the second round of the KHL Playoffs after a 1-0 win over Sibir Novosibirsk in Game 5 on Wednesday. Kantserov, 21, has two goals and two assists for four points so far in the postseason. Magnitogorsk is set to face Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod in the second round.
In AHL news, forward prospect Jiri Felcman, who signed his entry-level contract with the Blackhawks last Friday, made his North American professional debut with the Rockford IceHogs on Wednesday. Felcman, 20, played left wing on the IceHogs’ third line with Harrison Israels and Martin Misiak. Rockford ended up falling 5-0 to the Grand Rapids Griffins, with four of the five goals coming in the third period.
NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now
The Athletic: The future of seemingly every member of the Toronto Maple Leafs is in jeopardy heading into the offseason, including star forward William Nylander. However, Nylander made his intentions clear recently, as he’s willing to stay in Toronto, barring one condition.
San Jose Hockey Now: The San Jose Sharks pulled off more late-game magic on Wednesday, as Macklin Celebrini and Alexander Wennberg both scored in the final two minutes of the third period to turn a one-goal deficit into a one-goal victory. Oh, by the way, Celebrini netted his 40th goal and added three assists for a four-point performance. The kid is unbelievable.
NHL.com: Trevor Moore was the overtime hero on Wednesday, lifting the Los Angeles Kings to a 2-1 win over the St. Louis Blues. With the victory, the Kings jumped the Nashville Predators for the second and final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference.
Colorado Hockey Now: The last-place Vancouver Canucks put up eight goals on the Colorado Avalanche, the best team in hockey, on Wednesday night. In the 8-6 defeat, Nathan MacKinnon became the first player to reach 50 goals in the 2025-26 season. MacKinnon is four points back of Connor McDavid for the league lead in points.
Florida Hockey Now: Neither Brad Marchand nor Sam Reinhart requires surgery for their recent injuries. However, neither will suit up again for the Florida Panthers this season.
Vegas Hockey Now: With John Tortorella now calling the shots, here’s a look at the Vegas Golden Knights‘ path to the postseason in the Pacific Division.
Philly Hockey Now: The Philadelphia Flyers‘ playoff hopes survived a scare on Tuesday, with the Red Wings, Islanders, Senators, and Blue Jackets all failing to earn a point. Here’s what the Flyers need to happen next on Thursday.
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