The Chicago Blackhawks are back in action tonight, with the penultimate game of the 2025-26 season against the Buffalo Sabres. We\u2019ll have our usual game day coverage for you, starting with a preview after morning skate and plenty of analysis after the game. <\/p>\n
Blackhawks ChirpsGoaltender Adam Gajan made his professional debut for the Rockford IceHogs on Sunday. He made 36 saves in his first AHL start, but lost 4-2 to the Chicago Wolves. Ryan Gagnier scored the opening goal, with Dmitry Kuzmin finding the back of the net for the second straight game later in the third period. Martin Misiak recorded two assists, giving him three in the last two outings. Samuel Savioe and Jake Furlong also picked up helpers. The IceHogs wrap up the 2025-26 season with two games at the Texas Stars next weekend. Blackhawks prospects remain undefeated in the Ontario Hockey League Playoffs. The Brantford Bulldogs took a 3-0 series stranglehold with a 3-2 win over the North Battalion in double overtime on Sunday. Marek Vanacker had the secondary assist on Ben Danford\u2019s game-winning goal at 14:33 of the second overtime. <\/p>\n
Danford delivers in double OT!<\/p>\n
Ben Danford gave the @BulldogsOHL<\/a> a 3-0 series lead with a picture perfect shot, and secured a $2000 donation from the #OvertimeHeroes<\/a> program.#BFDvsNB<\/a> | #OHLPlayoffs<\/a> | #LeafsForever<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/BVKfFrVQRh<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) April 12, 2026<\/a>The Windsor Spitfires are up 2-0 on the Flint Firebirds after a 6-5 win in a wild Game 2. The Spitfires opened up a 3-1 lead in the first period, but trailed 4-3 at the start of the final frame. A.J. Spellacy had the secondary assist on Conor Walton\u2019s game-winning goal with one minute left to play to complete the dramatic third-period comeback. <\/p>\n Walton wins it!<\/p>\n Conor Walton scored his first goal of the post season with exactly one minute remaining to give the @SpitsHockey<\/a> a game two victory.#WSRvsFLNT<\/a> | #OHLPlayoffs<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/lRVGad6o7R<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) April 12, 2026<\/a>Jack Pridham had three assists to lead the Kitchener Rangers to an 8-5 win over the Soo Greyhounds, taking a 2-0 lead in the series. Pridham, who scored 46 goals in the regular season, is still looking for his first goal of the players. But he now has six assists in six games. On this date in 1944, the Montreal Canadiens won 5-4 in overtime to complete the four-game sweep of the Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup Final. After recording an assist on all four goals in regulation, Toe Blake scored the championship goal in overtime. This ended a 13-year Stanley Cup drought for the Canadiens, their longest span between titles in the 20th century. \u00a0In 1974, the Blackhawks set a new record for the fewest shots on goal in a Stanley Cup Playoff game. They managed only 10 shots on goal, and only three after the first period, but still won 1-0. Germain Gagnon scored the Blackhawks\u2019 first shot of the game, then Tony Esposito made 32 saves to earn the victory. In 2023, Jonathan Toews scored his final goal for the Blackhawks in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. He wouldn\u2019t play another game in the NHL until Oct. 9, 2025, for the Winnipeg Jets. Blackhawks Birthday Roll Call, April 13: Paul Bibeault. NHL ChirpsAlex Ovechkin might have played in his final home game on Sunday. It was fitting that Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins were the opponents. Ovechkin didn\u2019t factor in the scoring, but the Washington Capitals picked up a huge 3-0 win to keep their postseason hopes alive. After the game, the \u201cGreat 8\u201d took a victory lap in front of the home crowd. When asked about the \u201cone more year\u201d chants from Caps fans, Ovechkin said, \u201cI will think about it.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n Nothing but love for Alex Ovechkin in D.C. \u2764\ufe0f pic.twitter.com\/xmzKzHlKpl<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NHL (@NHL) April 12, 2026<\/a>The New York Islanders were eliminated from playoff contention after a 4-1 loss to the Canadiens. This marks the first time since the Colorado Rockies became the New Jersey Devils that the three tri-state teams, the Islanders, Devils, and New York Rangers, all missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the same season. Third place in the Metropolitan Division is the only Eastern Conference playoff spot still up for grabs. The Philadelphia Flyers hold that spot with 94 points, followed by the Capitals with 93 and the Columbus Blue Jackets with 92. Nick Suzuki had a goal and an assist in the win over the Islanders to give him 100 points on the season. He is the first Canadien to have a 100-point season since Mats Naslund in 1985-86. Surprisingly, he\u2019s only the fifth player in Montreal\u2019s storied history to score 100 points in a season. James Hagens made his NHL debut on Sunday. He picked up his first point with an assist on former Blackhawks defenseman Henri Jokiharju\u2019s goal as the Boston Bruins beat the Blue Jackets 3-2. <\/p>\n James Hagens is a Boston Bruin! \u26ab\ud83d\udfe1 pic.twitter.com\/JpBFogsY3j<\/a><\/p>\n