Sunday marks a massive day for Chicago. First, the Bears face off against Aaron Rodgers (potentially) and the Pittsburgh Steelers in hopes of moving to 8-3 and holding the lead in the NFC North. Then, the Blackhawks square off with the red-hot Colorado Avalanche, who have only one regulation loss through 21 games this season. The Avs also extended their winning streak to eight games in the front end of their back-to-back on Saturday before traveling to Chicago.
It will be quite the test for the Blackhawks, as they are coming off their worst performance of the season in a 9-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres and have lost two straight games in regulation for the first time this year. Time to bounce back at the United Center.
Be on the lookout for Chicago Hockey Now’s game preview dropping after the morning skates conclude.
Also in Blackhawks news, Nick Lardis recorded his second straight two-goal showing, and the second episode of “Always An Original” dropped on YouTube.
Around the league, Alex DeBrincat scored the OT winner for the Red Wings, Andrei Svechnikov is reportedly unhappy with his standing in Carolina, and the Tampa Bay Lightning lost two star players in a win over Washington.
All that & more in the Daily!
Chicago Blackhawks Recap, News & Tidbits
Chicago Hockey Now: If you made the decision not to watch the Blackhawks in Buffalo and spent your Friday night elsewhere, you made the correct choice. The Hawks played like their minds were still rattled over the third-period meltdown against the Seattle Kraken the night prior, as they allowed three goals in each of the three periods. Here are the highlights from an ugly 9-3 loss at KeyBank Center.
The Blackhawks released episode two of “Always An Original” on Saturday, titled The Madhouse. The episode dives into the legacy of the Madhouse on Madison, one of hockey’s most electric and iconic arenas. It’s an incredible 37-minute watch on the history of the Chicago Stadium and the transition into the United Center. There are some spectacular old video clips shared of the Madhouse.
In prospects news, Nick Lardis scored two goals for the second time this weekend in the Rockford IceHogs’ 5-2 loss to the Texas Stars on Saturday. Lardis has regained the AHL rookie scoring lead, as he now has 18 points (9G, 9A) on the season after a four-goal weekend.
Over in Russia, Roman Kantserov keeps racking up points, as he picked up a primary assist in Metallurg Magnitogorsk’s 4-3 win on Saturday. Kantserov also tallied the shootout winner for his club. Through 30 games, Kantserov is second in the KHL with 33 points (19G, 14A).
In college hockey, 2025 fourth-round pick (No. 98 overall) Julius Sumpf scored his second goal of the season in Providence’s 5-1 win over Vaclav Nestrasil and UMass. Sumpf now has six points through his first 13 games as a freshman for the Friars.
NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now
The Athletic: In the Dallas Stars’ 3-2 loss to the Calgary Flames on Saturday, forward Mikko Rantanen committed another dangerous hit that led to a game misconduct. Rantanen checked Flames forward Matt Coronato hard into the boards late in the second period to get ejected for the second time in three games. Fortunately, Coronato was able to return later in the contest.
Sportsnet: Some Saturday headlines. Elliotte Friedman breaks down Alex Texier’s waiver situation, and then he discusses rumblings that Andrei Svechnikov isn’t too happy about his current situation with the Carolina Hurricanes.
Tampa Bay Times: The Tampa Bay Lightning bested the Washington Capitals 5-3 at Capital One Arena on Saturday, but it came with a cost. Star forwards Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point both exited the game in the second period due to injuries and did not return. Brandon Hagel picked up the slack with two goals to lead the Bolts to victory in the Nation’s Capital.
NHL.com: Down 3-1 in the third period to the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Detroit Red Wings stormed back to win 4-3 in overtime. Former Blackhawks forward Alex DeBrincat potted the game-winning goal for Detroit.
Montreal Hockey Now: Speaking of Texier, the Montreal Canadiens are reportedly the front-runners to land the unrestricted free agent. Given all the current injuries the Habs are dealing with, this makes plenty of sense.
Florida Hockey Now: In a rematch of the last two Stanley Cup Finals, the Edmonton Oilers took down the Florida Panthers 6-3 on Saturday night. Sergei Bobrovsky was pulled in the second period by head coach Paul Maurice after stopping just 13 of 17 shots.
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