Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Connor Murphy and Calgary Flames left wing Joel Farabee fight during the second period of an NHL hockey game on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Chicago. (Photo courtesy of Erin Hooley / Associated Press)

The Chicago Blackhawks (19-21-7) fell to the visiting Calgary Flames (20-23-4) 3-1 at the United Center on Thursday night. Mikael Backlund scored shorthanded and added an assist to lead the visitors. The Blackhawks’ power play went 0 for 4 and gave up the shorthanded goal and the Blackhawks could not take advantage of their early 1-0 lead.

Chicago took the lead at the 2:38 mark of the game when captain Nick Foligno fired a wrist shot past Calgary goaltender Devin Cooley. The goal, assisted by forwards Colton Dach and Landon Slaggart, was Foligno’s second of the season.

Nick Foligno goes top shelf for his 2nd goal of the season. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/Hc0Ukz3M1p

— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) January 16, 2026

Calgary would tie the game at 1-1 when forward Yegor Sharangovich scored his ninth goal of the season, beating Chicago goaltender Spencer Knight on the power play. Backland and Connor Zary assisted on the goal.

Yegor Sharangovich – Calgary Flames (9) pic.twitter.com/H8lGnBEsK8

— NHL Goal Videos (@NHLGoalVideos) January 16, 2026

Backlund would finish off the scoring for Calgary in the first period with the shorthanded goal at the 6:05 mark of the first period. The go-ahead 2-1 goal was unassisted.

What a goal by Mikael Backlund 🫡

🎥: Sportsnet | #Flames pic.twitter.com/35uPi0ngGv

— FlamesNation (@FlamesNation) January 16, 2026

Calgary would finish the scoring for the night after former Chicago Steel forward Matt Coronato scored his 13th goal of the season into the Chicago empty net. The goal, assisted by Sharangovich, capped off the two-point nights for Backlund and Sharnagovich.

Analysis

Chicago could not muster much pressure on the power play and finished the game 0 for 4 with the man advantage. The Blackhawks’ power play is running at a 22% clip this season, which ranks 12th in the NHL leaderboards, so panic would not be the word for a one-game slip up.

Knight continues to play well even in defeat. The 24-year-old has the task of playing behind a inexperienced blue line and has shown to keep them in games even when the struggle is there in front of him.

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