After three hard-fought 4-3 overtime losses to the Minnesota Wild (39-19-12) in the first three meetings of the season, the Chicago Blackhawks (26-30-12) finally took them down, winning 2-1 at Grand Casino Arena on Thursday. Connor Bedard tallied the game-winning goal in the second period, while Spencer Knight stopped 28 of 29 shots faced to earn the win in net.
Not only was this the first victory for the Blackhawks against the Wild in 2025-26, but it’s also the first time they’ve won against them in regulation since Dec. 15, 2019. Minnesota previously had a 19-game point streak against Chicago, winning 18 of those matchups. It was almost hard to fathom an active point streak that long between divisional opponents.
The Blackhawks were close to snapping that point streak a few times earlier this season, leading in the third period during each of the first two meetings on Nov. 26 and Jan. 19. Their lack of experience in holding onto leads came back to bite them in both instances, allowing late game-tying goals, but not on Thursday.
Ahead 2-1 entering the third period, the Blackhawks held the Wild to only seven shots on net and four high-danger scoring chances. Knight was tested a few times — and also received crucial support from Alex Vlasic in the final seconds — but altogether, it was a stout defensive performance. Not to mention a significant upgrade in how to properly close out a victory, after two unsuccessful attempts earlier in the year.
With the win, the Blackhawks now move to 4-2-2 in eight games to begin March and continue to show notable improvements since returning from the Olympic break. Considering that their entire leadership group of Nick Foligno, Jason Dickinson, and Connor Murphy was traded ahead of the deadline, it’s impressive how well they’ve fared amidst some roster turnover and with an uber-young lineup.
Here are the highlights from the Blackhawks’ 2-1 win over the Wild, moving their record to 26-30-12 this season.
FIRST PERIOD
Bedard picked up where he left off against the Wild in the last meeting two days ago, generating two individual scoring chances in the opening 20 minutes. One of those opportunities came from a well-executed offensive-zone entry, where he skated into the slot and fired a wrister that was stopped by Jesper Wallstedt’s blocker.
After getting throttled in the first period on Tuesday, the Blackhawks were the aggressors in the early going and opened the scoring with just under four minutes remaining. Off the rush, Andrew Mangiapane coralled a loose puck and found Ilya Mikheyev at the far post for his 13th goal of the season. 1-0, Chicago at 16:22.
Andrew Mangiapane➡️Ilya Mikheyev🚨
Mangiapane finds Mikheyev at the far post for his 13th goal of the season to put the #Blackhawks ahead 1-0! Mangiapane gets his 2nd point since being acquired from Edmonton.pic.twitter.com/XGwllL5hAJ
— Talkin’ Hawkey (@TalkinHawkey) March 20, 2026
SECOND PERIOD
Bedard had a few quality looks earlier in the game, and he made the Wild pay for allowing him another near the midway point of the second period. Bedard forced a turnover at his own blue line, raced down ice and held off a Wild defender, and then snuck through a shot on the backhand for his 28th goal of the season at 11:47. 2-0, Chicago.
Minnesota finally got on the board at 15:47, as Nico Sturm skated into the offensive zone and fired a wrister from a tough angle through Knight’s wickets. That’s one that he would surely like to have back. Hunter Haight recorded his first NHL point with the primary assist. Just like that, the Blackhawks’ lead was back to one.
The score remained 2-1 in favor of the visitors going into the second intermission. The Wild grabbed the lead in shots on goal, holding a 21-17 advantage, while the Blackhawks led 18-8 in scoring chances.
THIRD PERIOD
Tyler Bertuzzi came close to adding an insurance tally for the Blackhawks near the 12-minute mark of the third period, getting a breakaway chance from center ice. Bertuzzi perfectly lifted the puck on his backhand over Wallstedt’s glove, but his shot rang off the crossbar and sailed over the net. Still 2-1.
Minnesota pulled Wallstedt to get the extra attacker onto the ice with two minutes to play, desperately in search of the game-tying goal. In the final seconds, they nearly found it, but Vlasic made a fantastic play to prevent the puck from crossing the goal line.
The final horn sounded at Grand Casino Arena, sending the Blackhawks to their first win in that building in nearly a decade. After falling short in overtime in each of the first three games against the Wild this season, holding onto the lead had to feel so satisfying for the young group.
There won’t be much time to celebrate, as the Blackhawks have a quick turnaround with the Colorado Avalanche coming to the United Center on Friday. They’ll look for a second divisional win in as many days.
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