Drew Commesso made 37 saves in the Chicago Blackhawks’ 3-0 win on Saturday for his first NHL win. (Photo courtesy of the Chicago Blackhawks)

The Chicago Blackhawks have been on a roll as of late. They have won three out of their last four games, dropping their most recent contest to the Washington Capitals. They are slowly getting players back from injury as well, with Connor Bedard coming back last game, but have had the flu going around, too. Drew Commesso got his second start in a row on Saturday against the Nashville Predators, with the only other lineup change being Ilya Mikheyev coming back into the lineup for Colton Dach.

First period

The Blackhawks started off more on defense in the first period. Commesso got tested just over 30 seconds into the game, with Ryan O’Reilly getting a big chance on a rebound opportunity. He made another stop a few minutes later on Matthew Wood on another big rebound chance at the side of the net.

The Blackhawks got the first power play of the game with Erik Haula getting called for slashing on Ryan Donato. They could not convert on it, so the game stayed as it began going into the intermission 0-0.

Second period

The first five minutes of the second was all Blackhawks. Juuse Saros had to make multiple great stops to keep his team in the game, but proved up to the task. The Blackhawks got another power play, and this time made the Predators pay. Bedard got the puck in the left circle. He rushed to the front of the net, getting the puck over to a wide-open Tyler Bertuzzi. He buried the shot to put the Blackhawks up 1-0.

another power play goal from #⃣5⃣9⃣✅ pic.twitter.com/iKZIN5QbWl

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) January 11, 2026

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

The Blackhawks gave up two more power plays to the Predators, but managed to kill them both off, keeping the lead going into the intermission.

Third period

The Blackhawks traded off power plays early in the period. They had the first one, but could not make anything of it, and Commesso again proved up to the task in keeping the puck out on the defensive end.

With just under nine minutes left in the period, the Blackhawks got another on the board. Kevin Korchinski, in his second game of the season, fed the puck along the boards to Bedard. He made a beautiful pass to a streaking Nick Lardis, who did not miss, putting the Blackhawks up 2-0.

another power play goal from #⃣5⃣9⃣✅ pic.twitter.com/iKZIN5QbWl

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) January 11, 2026

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

The visitors would close it out with a Ryan Greene empty-net goal to seal the deal, 3-0 Blackhawks.

Analysis

This was a great bounce-back game from this team. Despite missing their top two goalies to the flu, Commesso came out and played outstanding. Could he have done better limiting rebounds? Yes. Could he work on directing them away from danger areas? Yes again. But, all things considered, it was a great effort for a first career win and shutout all in one. Bedard was sorely missed, and this game was won all due to his efforts. With both primary assists on the non-empty net goals, he set them up perfectly for his teammates to reap the benefits. Hopefully, both goalies will be back by Monday night, but even if they are not, there is a capable fill-in in Commesso.

The Blackhawks’ next game is on Monday night against the Edmonton Oilers. This game will be at 7:30 p.m. CST on CHSN.

Related