Before hitting the ice at the United Center for his first game in the building as a visitor, Jonathan Toews spoke about needing to remain focused and not getting distracted by everything transpiring with his return.
Despite the media onslaught, all the anticipation leading up to the tilt, the several stars in attendance, and an incredible video tribute, Toews looked locked in as always on Monday night for his hometown Winnipeg Jets. But so too did Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Spencer Knight, who recorded his third shutout of the season to spoil Toews’ homecoming party. Knight stopped all 32 shots faced and was credited with 3.86 goals saved above expected to steer the Blackhawks to a 2-0 win.
Knight was sharp right from the jump on Monday, as Toews and the Jets came with a strong push in the early going. It felt like the visitors played with an added chip on their shoulders for their alternate captain, but Knight stood tall and saved the 12 shots thrown on net during the first period. That allowed the Blackhawks to settle in as the game progressed.
The 24-year-old netminder remained stellar throughout the final 40 minutes to keep Winnipeg off the board from start to finish. While head coach Jeff Blashill said postgame that he thought his defense had an improved performance compared to recent outings, Chicago was still outchanced 31-19. Knight was the difference in Monday’s win, which was his 14th of the 2025-26 campaign. It also helped the Hawks avoid a winless four-game homestand, as they had dropped each of the first three games.
For Toews, he finished the night with two shots on goal, two hits, and a minus-one rating. He won just five of 12 faceoffs in 18:06 of ice time. Toews centered the second line and skated with Cole Perfetti and Gabriel Vilardi, and the trio was Winnipeg’s most effective grouping on Monday. The Jets led 12-3 in shots on goal, 9-2 in scoring chances, and 5-0 in high-danger chances when that line was on the ice at even strength.
The final result wasn’t what Toews was looking for in his comeback to the Windy City, but it still ended up being a memorable night for the three-time Stanley Cup champion and future first-ballot Hall-of-Famer. From the support shown by the fans and the organization, to his parents and countless close friends in the building, it’s clear that Chicago will always cherish and worship ‘Captain Serious’.
“It blew me away, obviously,” Toews said about the ovation from the fans at the United Center after his video tribute. “It’s a crazy moment to get that reception from the fans. Pretty special, something I’ll remember forever.”
Here are the highlights from the Blackhawks’ 2-0 win over the Jets, moving their record to 20-22-7 through 49 games.
FIRST PERIOD
Neither the Blackhawks nor the Jets found the back of the net in the opening 20 minutes, but there was still plenty of action inside the United Center. It just didn’t occur on the ice.
During the game’s first TV timeout, the Blackhawks gave Jonathan Toews a video tribute in his return to Chicago. The love shown by both the organization and the fans was nothing short of sensational. Toews had to take two or three extra laps around the ice before finally returning to the bench. The Blackhawks faithful would have kept cheering for as long as he stayed out there.
Jonathan Toews’ video tribute during the first TV timeout. #Blackhawks fans WOULD NOT stop cheering as Toews skated around the ice. He had to take a few extra laps. That was something I’ll never forget.
Captain Serious — forever beloved in Chicago. pic.twitter.com/t2sCUG0c4R
— Jack Bushman (@JackBushman2) January 20, 2026
Another off-ice moment that got Hawks fans fired up was when Caleb Williams was shown on the Jumbrotron while play was halted. The Bears’ star quarterback was sitting on the glass to watch Monday’s game along with Chicago Cubs’ outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong. All the stars came out for Toews’ return!
Both goaltenders remained perfect going into the first intermission, with 12 saves apiece. Winnipeg had a slight 11-8 edge in scoring chances.
SECOND PERIOD
The goaltender battle continued well into the second period, but eventually, the Blackhawks broke the scoreless tie after over 33 minutes of scoreless action.
After Ryan Donato sent the puck skyward from the defensive zone, Jason Dickinson won a stick battle for a loose puck and momentarily gained possession in the Jets’ end of the ice. Dickinson wasted no time in letting go of a wrist shot, which beat Hellebuyck cleanly for his sixth goal of the season at 13:21. 1-0, Blackhawks. Donato and Alex Vlasic picked up assists on the play.
Alex Vlasic➡️Ryan Donato➡️Jason Dickinson🚨
Dickinson makes a great play to grab control of the puck & snipe home his 6th goal of the season to give the #Blackhawks a 1-0 lead! pic.twitter.com/YnBHFt5LmV
— Talkin’ Hawkey (@TalkinHawkey) January 20, 2026
Chicago came so close to doubling its lead in the final moments of the stanza, as Connor Bedard appeared to have a half-yawning cage to work with from the right circle. But Hellebuck made a ridiculous sprawling glove save to rob Bedard and keep the Jets behind by only one.
The score remained 1-0 in favor of the home squad entering the second intermission. Winnipeg led 21-19 in shots on goal and 20-12 in scoring chances at even strength. Spencer Knight was sharp through 40 minutes to keep the Jets off the board.
THIRD PERIOD
With under two minutes to play, the Jets sent Hellebuyck to the bench for the extra attacker. They maintained possession momentarily, but Vlasic eventually gained control to get a clear. He sent a breakout pass to Ilya Mikheyev, who quickly moved the puck over to Bedard on the left side. Bedard skated just across the blue line and hit the top corner of Winnipeg’s cage for the empty netter. It’s Bedard’s 20th goal of the season and first since returning from a shoulder injury.
The final horn sounded, sending the Blackhawks to their first victory in nine days. Next up is a road matchup with the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday, which is the front end of a back-to-back to close out the week.
Chicago will also be on the ice at Fifth Third Arena for practice on Wednesday before departing for Carolina. Blashill will likely provide injury updates on Andre Burakovsky, Frank Nazar, and Teuvo Teravainen.
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