Who’s ready for some late-night hockey? The Chicago Blackhawks are back at the United Center for the first time in over two weeks for a matchup against the top team in the Eastern Conference, the New Jersey Devils. However, the 8:30 p.m. CT puck drop sure makes it feel like they’re still on the road. The game is nationally televised on TNT and is the second half of the network’s doubleheader. Lovely.
The Blackhawks are expected to be without two key forwards when they return to the United Center, as neither participated in Tuesday’s practice session. More in the links for Chicago’s latest injury updates.
Also in Blackhawks news, goaltending has suddenly turned into a major strength of the organization, as several netminders across different levels are off to strong starts to their respective seasons.
Around the league, Nathan MacKinnon added to his NHL-leading point total, Macklin Celebrini helped the Sharks win again, and Jonathan Toews scored to help the Jets defeat the Canucks.
All that & more in the Daily!
Chicago Blackhawks Recap, News & Tidbits
Chicago Hockey Now: The Blackhawks are banged up in their forward group right now, with only 11 healthy forwards left on the active roster. Frank Nazar and Jason Dickinson aren’t expected to play against New Jersey, leaving head coach Jeff Blashill without two of his top four center icemen for a second straight game.
More CHN: Spencer Knight has been playing at a Vezina-caliber level early on in the 2025-26 season. But he’s not the only goaltender in the Blackhawks’ organization who’s been exceptional out of the gates. In fact, there are several.
More CHN: Team Canada’s latest Olympic roster projection dropped earlier this week, and Connor Bedard is still reportedly behind Macklin Celebrini. A ‘one of the other’ situation is seemingly developing, and Celebrini currently has the advantage. What more does Bedard need to do? Is there anything he CAN do?
In prospects news, 2023 third-round pick (No. 66 overall) Nathan Behm scored his 13th goal of the season and added an assist in the Kamloops Blazers’ 6-3 loss to the Edmonton Oil Kings on Tuesday night. Behm is now fourth in the WHL in points with 29 through 19 games.
NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now
The Athletic: The Olympics are just 90 days away, and the NHL remains very concerned about construction issues for Milan’s hockey arena. NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly addressed the situation during Tuesday’s GM meetings, and two league workers will make a trip to Italy next week to get a first-hand look at the progress, or lack thereof.
NHL.com: Jonathan Toews scored his third goal of the season, while Josh Morrissey picked up three points in the Winnipeg Jets’ 5-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday.
Colorado Hockey Now: An eventful affair between the two highest-scoring teams in the league. Nathan MacKinnon added another three assists to extend his NHL lead in points, while Gabriel Landeskog scored the game-winner for his first regular-season goal in 1,347 days. The night ended with a 4-1 win for the Colorado Avalanche.
More Colorado Hockey Now: Speaking of the Avalanche, they also signed young forward Gavin Brindley to a two-year contract extension ahead of their tilt with the Anaheim Ducks.
San Jose Hockey Now: The San Jose Sharks won AGAIN on Tuesday, and Macklin Celebrini factored in on both of their goals. Yaroslav Askarov also stopped 28 of 29 shots faced to earn the victory in net over the Minnesota Wild. The young Sharks are starting to feel they’re never out of a game.
Boston Hockey Now: David Pastrnak scored twice and reached a major career milestone in the Boston Bruins‘ seventh consecutive victory, as they defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-3 at TD Garden.
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