Last week was a grind for the Chicago Blackhawks. Four games in seven days, more than 2,300 miles traveled, and three different time zones. The entire stretch was on the road, and somehow this young team fought through it and came out with an impressive 3-1-0 record. That capped off a six-game road trip where the Hawks finished 3-2-1, and now sit at 8-5-3 after 16 games. That is a strong start for a rebuilding group.
Every Monday, we bring you the Blackhawks Weekly Recap, breaking down everything happening inside the organization — from the NHL roster to the Rockford IceHogs and the prospects developing across the system.
We look back at the week’s results, highlight the key performers, and wrap things up with our Three Stars of the Week.
This recap covers games from Monday to Sunday (Week 5)
NHL: Blackhawks Deliver Strong Week (3-1-0)
Game 1: Blackhawks 1 – Kraken 3
The Blackhawks opened Week 5 in Seattle and ran into a goalie who stole the show. Joey Daccord shut the door all night with 29 saves, controlling rebounds and giving Chicago almost nothing around the crease. Seattle broke through early in the second when Jamie Oleksiak fired a long point shot through traffic that slipped under Arvid Soderblom’s glove. Eight minutes later, Matty Beniers doubled the lead on a power-play one-timer after a slick backhand feed from Jordan Eberle.
Chicago finally pushed back in the third. Andre Burakovsky cut the deficit to 2-1 on a short breakaway, beating Daccord five-hole after a great setup from Connor Bedard. That extended Bedard’s point streak to five games. It felt like momentum was shifting, but a turnover in the neutral zone proved costly. Eberle walked in on a 2-on-1 and restored Seattle’s two-goal lead with under four minutes left, sealing the Kraken win.
Seattle controlled special teams, going 1-for-2 on the power play while shutting down all three Chicago opportunities. The Hawks showed life late, but the slow start and lack of pressure around the net made the difference.
Coach’s Take:
This game was about details. Seattle protected the middle of the ice, won the special-teams battle, and their goalie was the best player on the ice. Chicago needs a faster start on the road, and you can’t chase the game for 40 minutes. The compete level in the third was good, but it came too late.
NOTES of the Game
- The Blackhawks are 0-3-2 this season when allowing the first goal.
- Andre Burakovsky has scored in three straight games and now has six points (3G, 3A) during a four-game point streak.
Game 2: Blackhawks 5 – Canucks 2
The Blackhawks bounced back in a big way in Vancouver, putting together one of their most resilient third periods of the season. Spencer Knight was the backbone early, making 43 saves and keeping the game scoreless through two periods despite the Canucks doubling Chicago in chances. Vancouver pushed hard, even appearing to score first in the second, but a successful goalie-interference challenge wiped it off the board. That moment turned out to be a turning point.
Tyler Bertuzzi took over the third period. He opened the scoring on a backdoor bounce off a Matt Grzelcyk pass, then struck again on Chicago’s first power play of the game by dropping to one knee at the far post and redirecting a perfect feed from Connor Bedard. Ilya Mikheyev jumped in with a quick-strike snipe to make it 3-0, and Bertuzzi finished the hat trick minutes later by cleaning up a rebound for a 4-0 lead.
It was a vintage Bertuzzi performance: gritty, smart positioning, winning his battles, and parking himself on the back post where he’s dangerous every night.
Vancouver finally broke through with goals from Aatu Raty and Evander Kane, but Bedard answered with an empty-netter to seal the 5-2 final. The goal extended his point streak to six games and was his first NHL goal in his hometown of Vancouver.
Overall, Chicago controlled the critical moments. Knight gave them a chance, the challenge swung momentum, and the third-period push showed real maturity for a young group on the road.
Coach’s Take:
This was a statement win. Knight was outstanding, and Bertuzzi was a force. When your power play hits and your top players take over late, you win games on the road. The compete level and execution in the third period were exactly what you want to see from a team learning how to close out tough games.
Notes of the Game
- Bedard now has 146 NHL points before turning 21, tying Bobby Hull for fourth-most in franchise history. Eddie Olczyk leads with 180.
- Bedard had 12 points (4G, 8A) during his previous career-best nine-game point streak last season.
- Bertuzzi becomes the seventh Blackhawk in the past 30 years to score a hat trick in a single period.
- He is also just the sixth player in NHL history to record hat tricks with three different Original Six teams.
Game 3: Blackhawks 4 – Flames 0
Chicago rolled into Calgary and delivered their most complete performance of the week. It started with structure, continued with pace, and ended with Spencer Knight slamming the door shut. The young goalie was outstanding, turning aside all 33 shots he faced for his first shutout as a Blackhawk. His calm presence gave the team confidence from the opening faceoff.
Connor Bedard took care of the rest. The 20-year-old put on a clinic, finishing with a goal and three assists for his fourth career four-point game. He drove the pace, dictated possession, and made the game easier for everyone around him. Bedard extended his point streak to seven games in the process and continues to look like a player who is rising to another level.
Tyler Bertuzzi stayed red hot, opening the scoring on a power-play deflection and then adding another early in the third off yet another sharp Bedard feed. Andre Burakovsky joined the party soon after, snapping home a clean wrist shot from the slot to make it 3-0. Bedard then capped the night by stripping Morgan Frost in the offensive zone, walking in alone, and finishing with a slick backhand-forehand move for the 4-0 final.
Chicago controlled every zone, won puck battles, and suffocated Calgary’s offense. This was a true “team win” and exactly the type of performance you want to see when a long road trip starts turning in your favor.
Coach’s Take:
This was complete hockey. Knight was solid and steady, Bedard was dynamic, and the support around them was strong. When the structure holds and the team commits for 60 minutes, this is what it looks like. That is winning hockey.
NOTES of the Game
- Bedard reached 150 NHL points at just 20 years, 113 days, becoming the youngest player in Blackhawks history to hit the milestone.
- He is the 11th-youngest player in NHL history to reach 150 points.
- Bedard’s seven-game point streak now includes 15 points (6G, 9A).
- This marks Bedard’s fourth career four-point game.
- Spencer Knight earned his first shutout with Chicago.
- Tyler Bertuzzi has six goals in his last four games.
- Frank Nazar left the game and is day-to-day.
Game 4: Blackhawks 5 – Red Wings 1
“Chicago shuts the door on Detroit and closes the road trip with authority.”
The Blackhawks rolled into Detroit with momentum already building, and they walked out looking like a team that finally understands what winning hockey should feel like. This one was all Chicago from the opening faceoff, fueled once again by the superstar heater Connor Bedard is currently riding.
It took Bedard 59 seconds to put the Hawks on the board. One penalty, one chance, one blistered wrist shot from the right circle. Simple. Deadly. Statement made. Detroit tied it a few minutes later, but that was the last moment this game felt close.
Chicago’s power play went to work again in the second when Teuvo Teravainen hammered a one-timer off a perfect setup from Burakovsky. That made it 2–1.
Early in the third, Tyler Bertuzzi stuffed home another power-play strike to make it 3–1.
After that, Detroit unraveled.
Burakovsky buried the empty-netter.
Oliver Moore scored his first NHL goal with 16 seconds left.
And then there was Arvid Soderblom. Forty-five saves — a new career high — including one against his own brother.
A complete team win.
NOTES of the Game
- Bedard tied Patrick Kane as the fastest Blackhawk in 35 years to hit 25 points in a season (16 games).
- Burakovsky recorded his 400th NHL point.
- Oliver Moore scored his first NHL goal.
- Chicago went 3-for-3 on the power play and 5-for-5 on the penalty kill.
- Soderblom’s 45 saves were a career high.
Team Performance Overview
| Category | Week 5 | Road Trip | Season | NHL Rank |
| Record | 3–1–0 | 3–2–1 | 8–5–3 (19 pts) | 9th |
| Goals For | 15 | 20 | 53 | 9th |
| Goals Against | 6 | 15 | 40 | 5th |
| Goal Differential | 9 | 5 | 13 | 4th |
| GF/GP | 5.00 | 3.33 | 3.31 | 10th |
| GA/GP | 1.50 | 2.50 | 2.50 | 2nd |
| Power Play | 5/10 (50.0%) | 6/14 (42.9%) | 25.5% | 7th |
| Penalty Kill | 11/12 (91.7%) | 14/18 (77.8%) | 83.9% | 8th |
| Shots/GP | 26.3 | 26.3 | 25.2 | 29th |
| Shots Against/GP | 37.0 | 33.2 | 31.5 | 30th |
| Faceoff % | 48.1% | 45.9% | 47.3% | 25th |
Blackhawks Player Highlights (week)
- Connor Bedard: 3 G | 7 A | 10 PTS | 15 SOG
- Tyler Bertuzzi: 6 G | 1 A | 7 PTS | 11 SOG
- Andrei Burakovsky: 3 G | 2 A | 5 PTS | 10 SOG
- Artyom Levshunov: 4 A | 4 PTS
- Ryan Donato: 3 A | 3 PTS | 4 SOG
- Oliver Moore: 1 G | 1 A | 2 PTS | 10 SOG
- Teuvo Teravainen: 1 G | 1 A | 2 PTS
- Spencer Knight: 2–0–0 | 1.00 GAA | .974 SV%
- Arvid Soderblom: 1–1–0 | 2.00 GAA | .942 SV%
Blackhawks Player Highlights (road trip)
- Connor Bedard: 3 G | 10 A | 13 PTS | 22 SOG
- Tyler Bertuzzi: 7 G | 1 A | 8 PTS | 12 SOG
- Andrei Burakovsky: 5 G | 3 A | 8 PTS | 16 SOG
- Artyom Levshunov: 6 A | 6 PTS
- Ryan Donato: 3 A | 3 PTS | 5 SOG
- Teuvo Teravainen: 2 G | 1 A | 3 PTS | 6 SOG
AHL: IceHogs Struggle to Find Offense (1-1-1)
Game 1: IceHogs 1 – Admirals 2 (OT)
Rockford opened the weekend with a hard-fought battle in Milwaukee, earning a point despite being outshot and outchanced for long stretches…
Rockford opened the weekend with a hard-fought battle in Milwaukee, earning a point despite being outshot and outchanced for long stretches. Special teams played a major role in the game’s momentum. The IceHogs went 1-for-4 on the power play, while the Admirals were held 0-for-4, thanks to Rockford’s structure and aggressive penalty kill.
Milwaukee carried the shot advantage 36–24, forcing Drew Commesso to step up repeatedly. He kept Rockford in the game with a steady performance, controlling rebounds and staying composed under pressure.
Ethan Del Mastro gave Rockford the lead early in the second period, walking down the wing and slipping a shot through the pads on the man advantage. Milwaukee answered later in the frame, and both teams tightened defensively for the remainder of regulation.
A defensive breakdown in overtime left Daniel Carr alone at the net, and the Admirals capitalized to take the extra point.
Rockford didn’t generate much offensively, but their defensive commitment and goaltending earned them a well-deserved point on the road.
Game 2: IceHogs 0 – Admirals 2
Rockford returned home for the second half of the back-to-back but couldn’t solve Milwaukee’s structure, falling 2-0 at the BMO. Despite a stronger defensive showing and holding the Admirals to 21 shots, the IceHogs couldn’t generate enough offensively to break through.
Rockford carried the shot advantage 24–21, but Milwaukee goalie Matt Murray shut the door all night. Special teams were a major factor again. Rockford went 0-for-5 on the power play, while Milwaukee also went 0-for-4, leaving both sides searching for offense in a tight game.
The Admirals broke the scoreless game midway through the second period on a rebound finish, then doubled the lead in the third with a move in tight. Rockford pushed late but struggled to create second chances or high-danger looks around the crease.
It was another low-event, defensive game, with the IceHogs working hard but unable to find the finish needed to keep pace.
Game 3: Rockford 3 – Iowa 2
The IceHogs closed the weekend strong with a gritty road win in Iowa.
Landon Slaggert opened the scoring early in the second period, taking a pass from Brett Seney and sliding the puck under Cal Petersen for a 1–0 lead. After Iowa tied it, Brett Seney restored the advantage off a setup from Del Mastro and Mast, making it 2–1.
Iowa tied the game again early in the third, but Rockford answered instantly on its lone power play. Dominic Toninato ripped a sharp-angle shot under the bar just nine seconds into the man advantage, giving the Hogs a 3–2 game-winner.
Stanislav Berezhnoy set the tone early with 12 first-period saves and a calm, steady presence throughout.
Shots: RFD 26 – IA 30
Power Play: RFD 1/1 – IA 0/1
Weekend Summary – Rockford IceHogs
The Rockford IceHogs wrapped up the weekend with a 1-1-1 record, and despite earning points in two of the three games, the offense never really found its rhythm. Across the weekend, Rockford managed only four total goals, including being shut out in the opener and needing special teams or broken plays to break through in the other two. The lack of sustained pressure showed in long stretches where possession and finishing weren’t there.
The bright side was in net, where the IceHogs got exactly what they needed. Between Drew Commesso and Stanislav Berezhnoy, Rockford posted a 2.00 GAA and a sharp .9315 save percentage keeping every game within reach even when scoring dried up.
With a 7-5-1 record and a .577 winning percentage, the IceHogs sit 4th in the Central Division, right in the thick of the early-season standings. The structure and goaltending are in place, but the next step is clear: finding more consistent offense to support the strong work happening in the crease.
Three Stars of the Week
Blackhawks
1️⃣ Connor Bedard – 3 G | 7 A | 10 PTS | 15 SOG
2️⃣ Tyler Bertuzzi – 6 G | 1 A | 7 PTS | 11 SOG
3️⃣ Spencer Knight – 2–0–0 | 1.00 GAA | .974 SV%
IceHogs
1️⃣ Drew Commesso – 0–1–1 | 2.00 GAA | .930 SV%
2️⃣ Brett Seney – 1 G | 2 A | 3 PTS
3️⃣ Kevin Korchinski – 0 G | 2 A | 2 PTS
Prospects
1️⃣ Roman Kantserov – 3 G | 3 A | 6 PTS
2️⃣ Sacha Boisvert – 0 G | 4 A | 4 PTS
3️⃣ Adam Gajan – 2–0–0 | 1.00 GAA | .958 SV% | 1 SO
Final Thought
This week showed exactly who the Blackhawks are becoming. The young core continues to drive the bus, the veterans are supporting the right way, and the goaltending held the fort during key moments of the road trip. A 3-1-0 week on the road is the kind of building block you want in November, especially with Bedard and Bertuzzi pushing the pace and Spencer Knight locking things down in net.
In Rockford, the IceHogs didn’t generate much offensively, but the structure and goaltending kept them competitive. With a 7-5-1 record and a .577 points percentage, they sit 4th in the Central Division. The defense has been solid and the goaltending delivered a strong 2.00 GAA and .9315 save percentage over the weekend. Once the offense wakes up, they’ll be right back pushing near the top of the division.
This Week’s Schedule
Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
- Wed, Nov 12: vs New Jersey Devils — 8:30 PM CT
- Sat, Nov 15: vs Toronto Maple Leafs — 6:00 PM CT
Rockford IceHogs (AHL)
- Wednesday, Nov 12 – 7:00 PM CDT vs Manitoba Moose
- Saturday, Nov 15 – 7:00 PM CDT vs Manitoba Moose
- Sunday, Nov 16 – 4:00 PM CDT vs Texas Stars
KEEP READING:
Blackhawks Weekly Recap: (Week 1)
Blackhawks Weekly Recap (Week 2)
Blackhawks Weekly Recap (Week 3)
Blackhawks Weekly Recap (Week 4)
Blackhawks October Report Card
Looking for discussion? Check out our forums section and weigh in on what’s happening around the NHL!
It’s really nice to see the near future of the team KD is building.
I also don’t think it’s a coincidence the ice hogs are not generating as well offensively since Moore was premoted, he like Greene do so many things well that don’t show up on the score sheet except for the final score.
Thanks for your comment. You’re right about the IceHogs. Lardis is pretty much alone out there, with only Seney helping him.
Thanks! Been a looooooong time since I was able to read about a successful road week for the boys!
Even though he did not play, it was good to see Nazar suited up for pregame.
The team speed and the compete for loose pucks and along the boards is AWESOME!
Hey TonyO, great to hear from you. Appreciate the comment. You’re absolutely right about that road trip — really solid hockey from the boys. It’s been a good season so far and fun to watch.
And if memory serves me correctly, in the Hawks 3 wins they entered the 3rd period with a one goal lead and proceeded to keep the foot on the accelerator by scoring a few more times in each game to win going away. A stark difference from the first few games of the season when they lost close games they could have won.
You’re absolutely right about that. Big difference from the start of the season. Thanks for your comment, my friend.