The Chicago Blackhawks are back in action on Saturday, as the road trip carries into Seattle for the final meeting of the season with the Kraken. It’s a late-night 9:00 p.m. CT puck drop at Climate Pledge Arena, and props to anyone who stays awake and spends a Saturday night watching a team in the midst of a five-game losing skid.
With the Blackhawks having the day off in Seattle on Friday, there still hasn’t been an update on Nick Lardis’ status since suffering a left-hand injury late in the game against the Edmonton Oilers. That will surely come either before or after the morning skate, depending on whether Lardis participates or not.
Be on the lookout for Chicago Hockey Now’s update on Lardis following the morning skate, plus the Game Day Preview for everything to note about the season series finale against the Kraken.
Also in Blackhawks news, Jiri Felcman helped the IceHogs defeat the Iowa Wild on Friday night, while the newly-signed Adam Gajan dressed for the first time as a professional. Mason West also aided in a blowout win for the Fargo Force.
Around the league, the Flyers earned a crucial win over the Islanders, the Blues remain alive in the Western Conference playoff battle, and the Predators are progressing in their general manager search.
All that & more in the Daily!
Chicago Blackhawks Recap, News & Rumors
Chicago Hockey Now: It’s been known for a while now that there wouldn’t be playoff hockey in Chicago once again this year, but Thursday’s 3-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers made it official. The Blackhawks have been eliminated from playoff contention for the sixth consecutive season.
While the Blackhawks had Friday off, their minor-league affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs, was in action and bested the Iowa Wild 5-2. Jiri Felcman, in just his second game with the IceHogs, recorded his first point with the primary assist on Cavan Fitzgerald’s game-tying goal in the first period.
Just two days after signing his entry-level contract, Adam Gajan suited up for the IceHogs for the first time and served as the backup goaltender. He was still donning the same equipment he wore with the University of Minnesota-Duluth this season. Perhaps his first professional start is on the horizon?
In USHL news, Mason West scored his 10th goal of the season in the Fargo Force’s 8-1 win over the Tri-City Storm on Friday. West now has 25 points in 37 appearances with Fargo since he joined the team once his high-school football season ended in November. West and the Force have officially clinched the No. 2 seed in the USHL’s Western Conference, with the regular season wrapping up this weekend.
NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now
Daily Faceoff: Which 2025-26 postseason-bound NHL clubs have the most Stanley-Cup ingredients on their current roster? A fascinating dive into the statistics and numbers as the playoffs near.
ESPN: Dylan Holloway scored twice, while Robert Thomas tallied three points as the St. Louis Blues beat the Anaheim Ducks 6-2 to keep their slim postseason hopes alive. The Blues are now only three points back of the San Jose Sharks for the second and final Wild Card spot out West.
Philly Hockey Now: The Philadelphia Flyers picked up a massive two points on Friday night, defeating the New York Islanders 4-1. The Flyers are now part of a four-way tie for the final Wild Card position in the Eastern Conference, but the Senators, Red Wings, and Blue Jackets all hold the tiebreaker over them.
Islanders Hockey Now: A slow start doomed the New York Islanders in their loss to the Flyers on Friday night. The Isles remain in third place in the Metropolitan Division, but only by the slimmest of margins.
Detroit Hockey Now: The Detroit Red Wings are still alive in the Eastern Conference playoff battle, but it’s mostly been thanks to their “Big Four” of Alex DeBrincat, Dylan Larkin, Lucas Raymond, and James van Riemsdyk. Those four players have accounted for nearly half of the Wings’ goals this season.
ProHockeyRumors: Elliotte Friedman recently reported that the Nashville Predators are closing in on the interviewing stage of their GM search. Bill Scott (Oilers), Scott White (Stars), Brett Peterson (Panthers), and former Arizona GM John Chayka are believed to be part of that process.
Florida Hockey Now: Not dead yet. The Florida Panthers are still alive, although it’s very unlikely they sneak their way into the Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, with back-to-back wins, the Panthers are up to 77 points. That currently has them as the ninth-worst team in hockey. The Blackhawks need them to finish 11th-worst or better to receive their 2026 first-round draft choice.
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