Every Monday, we bring you the Chicago Blackhawks Weekly Recap, covering everything from the NHL roster to the AHL Rockford IceHogs and top prospects in the system.
This week is an exception as the recap is released on Tuesday.
We review the week’s results, highlight standout performances, and close out with our Three Stars of the Week across all levels.
This recap covers games from Monday to Sunday (Week 9).
Week 9 Record: 1–2–1
Game 1: Blackhawks 3 – Golden Knights 4 (SO)
The Blackhawks opened their four-game road trip with one of their most complete efforts away from home this season, but a late mistake cost them a valuable point. Vegas struck just 27 seconds into the game, yet Chicago responded quickly when Oliver Moore buried a rebound less than a minute later. The Hawks controlled the remainder of the period with strong structure and held Vegas to no shots for the final 7:43 of the first.
In the second, Tyler Bertuzzi capitalized on a misplay by Carter Hart behind the net and snapped home his 10th of the year to give Chicago a 2–1 lead. But once again, an unlucky deflection off a Chicago defender late in the period allowed Vegas to tie it.
Early in the third, Connor Bedard delivered the highlight of the night — a world-class top-shelf finish for his 17th of the season — restoring the lead at 3–2. Chicago defended well from there and Spencer Knight stood tall, but a poorly timed line change by Oliver Moore with 2:28 left created a 5-on-4 rush that Vegas converted to force overtime.
OT was chaos: breakaways, odd-man rushes, and huge saves from both Knight and Hart. Neither team could finish, sending the game to a shootout where Bedard scored, but Vegas beat Knight twice to claim the extra point.
A strong effort, but the Hawks left one point behind in a 4–3 shootout defeat.
Game 2: GAME SUMMARY — Blackhawks 2, Kings 1
The Chicago Blackhawks earned a gritty 2–1 win in L.A., extending their point streak to three games and strengthening their playoff position. It wasn’t a perfect game, but Chicago’s special teams, structure, and goaltending carried them through a tough road matchup.
The first period tested Chicago’s discipline as the Hawks took three early penalties, but their penalty kill — one of the NHL’s best lately — shut down every Kings chance. At 5-on-5, the Hawks were faster, cleaner, and created more pressure.
In the second period, Chicago took control. Connor Bedard opened the scoring on the power play, jamming home his 18th of the year on a net-drive setup from Bertuzzi. Moments before intermission, a huge swing changed the game: Spencer Knight misplayed the puck behind the net, nearly gifting L.A. the tying goal, but Connor Murphy saved it with a heroic goal-line block. Seconds later, Wyatt Kaiser scored on a low wrister to make it 2–0 — a massive emotional flip.
The Kings pushed back in the third and cut the lead to 2–1, but Chicago locked down the final eight minutes. The last 1:26 was played at 6-on-4 after a Bedard penalty, but the Hawks’ penalty kill blocked everything and Knight closed the door with 26 saves.
A full team effort — structure, buy-in, and commitment — delivered another road win for a young Chicago team playing beyond expectations.
Game 3 Kings 6, Blackhawks 0
The Blackhawks followed up their strong win in L.A. with one of their worst performances of the season, getting shut out 6–0 in a game that unraveled quickly after a promising start. Chicago controlled the first period, outshooting the Kings 11–7 and generating the better chances, but failing to score first proved costly.
The second period — a recurring problem this season — completely buried them. Los Angeles struck early and then rapidly added two more goals, including a power-play tally and another defensive breakdown. In just 2 minutes and 28 seconds, the Kings flipped a 0–0 game into a blowout, and Chicago never recovered. Structure disappeared, puck support vanished, and the Hawks stopped attacking.
The third period was more of the same. L.A. piled on three additional goals in the opening nine minutes, with Clarke scoring his second of the game and Anderson and Turcotte adding to the rout. Three Kings defensemen scored, highlighting Chicago’s defensive collapse.
Spencer Knight made 26 saves on 32 shots but received virtually no support in front of him. Chicago’s offense dried up completely, finishing with just 12 shots over the final 40 minutes. Their power play went 0-for-3, and several young players struggled, including Sam Rinzel (-2, 12:40 TOI).
It was Chicago’s second shutout loss of the season and their third time allowing six or more goals — another reminder of how quickly momentum swings against this young group.
Game 4 Blackhawks 1 Ducks 7
The Chicago Blackhawks were overwhelmed in Anaheim, suffering a 7–1 defeat in a game dominated from start to finish by the Ducks. Anaheim controlled the pace, the puck, and the scoring chances, firing 53 shots and capitalizing on repeated breakdowns from Chicago.
The Ducks opened the scoring in the first period with Jacob Trouba (ANA) blasting home the 1–0 goal. The second period turned into a complete collapse for the Blackhawks: Anaheim scored four times, including a power-play goal by Mason McTavish, a snipe from Beckett Sennecke, a wrist shot from Alex Killorn, and a clean finish from Leo Carlsson. Chicago had no answer for Anaheim’s speed and pressure, and the game was effectively over at 5–0 after 40 minutes.
The third period started just as badly, with Carlsson scoring again on the power play only 15 seconds in. Chicago’s lone highlight came from Tyler Bertuzzi, who scored a power-play goal assisted by Connor Bedard and Artyom Levshunov to make it 6–1. But Anaheim added one more late, as Frank Vatrano buried the 7–1 final.
It was a night where nothing clicked for Chicago — defensive structure failed, puck management was poor, and Anaheim won nearly every battle. The Ducks’ stars set the tone:
- Leo Carlsson: 2 goals
- Beckett Sennecke: 1 goal, 1 assist
- Chris Kreider: 2 assists
Chicago generated too little offensively and spent most of the game stuck in their own zone. With 53 shots allowed, it was one of their worst defensive efforts of the season.
Coach’s Take
Week 9 was a roller coaster for the Blackhawks — a stretch that showed both the growth of this young team and the painful reminders of how far they still have to go. Chicago opened the week with two of their best road performances of the season, playing with structure, discipline, and buy-in. Then everything fell apart in the final two games as the Hawks were outscored 13–1 and struggled in every area of the ice.
The encouraging part of the week came early. In Vegas, Chicago deserved better than one point. They skated with pace, defended well, and created enough offense to win on the road. The same identity carried into Game 2 in Los Angeles — a tight, playoff-style game where the Hawks stayed patient, blocked shots, won battles, and executed a huge penalty kill late. Those two games showed what this team can be when they are connected and detailed.
But the rest of the trip was a harsh reality check. In the rematch with the Kings, the second period once again crushed them — a problem that keeps showing up all season. A 0–0 game turned into 3–0 in under three minutes, and Chicago never pushed back. The structure disappeared, the forecheck died, and the group played on its heels the rest of the night.
Anaheim was even worse. The Ducks dictated every shift, winning races, winning battles, and firing 53 shots. Chicago chased the puck from start to finish and looked overwhelmed. Too many turnovers, slow transitions, and broken assignments left their goalies hanging out to dry. Young teams can be fragile, and this was a week where the confidence clearly cracked.
The biggest difference between the first two games and the last two? Details and discipline. When Chicago plays within their structure — tight gaps, clean exits, short support, hard stops and starts — they can skate with anyone. But when they start stretching the game and losing battles, everything collapses quickly.
The message for the week is simple:
You can’t pick and choose when to play the right way.
This team showed the blueprint early in the week, then drifted far from it. Blashill now has a few days to reset the group, rebuild their confidence, and tighten their defensive habits. The talent is there, the compete is there — but consistency must follow.
Week 9 was split into two stories:
- A team capable of beating playoff squads on the road.
- A team still learning how to handle adversity when the momentum swings.
The next step of this rebuild is steady play — not just flashes.
Team Performance Overview
| Category | Week | Season | NHL Rank |
| Record | 1-2-1 | 12-11-6 | 25th |
| Goals For | 6 | 86 | 15th |
| Goals Against | 18 | 89 | 19th |
| Goal Differential | -12 | -3 | |
| GF/GP | 2.97 | 2.97 | 18th |
| GA/GP | 3.07 | 3.07 | 18th |
| Power Play | 15.3% | 23.0 | 9th |
| Penalty Kill | 78.6% | 83.3 | 7th |
| Shots/GP | 27.3 | 25.4 | 27th |
| Shots Against/GP | 27.8 | 31.0 | 229th |
| Faceoff % | 47.1 | 46.9 | 28th |
| CF% | 45.91 | 29th | |
| xGF | 47.2 | 28th | |
| HDCF% | 41.98 (140-191) | 31th |
Blackhawks Player Highlights
Connor Bedard 2G 1A 3PTS TOI 20:50 13SOG
Tyler Bertuzzi 2G 2A 4PTS TOI 18:34 10SOG
Frank Nazar 3A 3PTS TOI 18:55 6SOG
Oliver Moore 1G 1A 2PTS TOI: 13:30 8SOG
IceHogs Weekly Summary (Record: 0–2–0)
Game 1: Eagles 5 IceHogs 3
The IceHogs dropped a 5–3 decision to the Colorado Eagles in a fast-paced, back-and-forth game highlighted by a chaotic third period and the long-awaited return of goaltender Laurent Brossoit.
Colorado struck twice in the first period, both goals coming from captain Jayson Megna — one through traffic and another on a power-play breakaway. Special teams immediately became a problem for Rockford: the Eagles went 1-for-2 on the power play, while the IceHogs finished the night 0-for-3, missing opportunities to swing the momentum.
In the second period, Rockford finally broke through when Samuel Savoie shoveled a puck into the crease that deflected in, cutting the lead to 2–1 and giving the IceHogs life heading into the third.
The final frame exploded offensively with five goals combined. Colorado extended the lead to 3–1 just over a minute in, but Savoie answered 40 seconds later with his second goal of the game. The Eagles pushed back when Keaton Middleton’s point shot made it 4–2, but Rockford kept battling, with Dmitri Kuzmin beating his defender wide and scoring to make it 4–3.
Down a goal late, Rockford pulled the goalie for the extra attacker — but Megna completed his hat trick with an empty-netter to seal the 5–3 final.
A major storyline of the night was the return of Laurent Brossoit.
The veteran goaltender played his first professional game in over a year after recovering from a lower-body injury. On a conditioning loan from the Chicago Blackhawks, Brossoit is in the final season of his two-year, $3.3 million contract and had not played a single NHL or AHL game this season until this assignment. Despite the loss, his presence was important for Rockford, and the game served as a meaningful step in his recovery.
The IceHogs generated offense and pushed hard late, but special teams struggles and Colorado’s finishing touch — especially Megna’s hat trick — were the difference.
Game 2: Eagles 2 IceHogs 1
The Rockford IceHogs dropped another tight one, losing 2–1 to the Colorado Eagles in a game where missed opportunities on the power play and a quiet offensive night made all the difference.
Colorado struck early when Tyler Makar — brother of Avs superstar Cale Makar — scored twice in the opening period, taking advantage of a turnover and then finishing again during a four-on-four sequence. Rockford spent most of the first chasing the game.
In the second period, Samuel Savoie gave the crowd something to cheer about, sending the teddy bears flying with his third goal of the weekend. He cut to the crease and slipped one past Isak Posch to make it 2–1.
But that was the only spark Rockford could generate.
The IceHogs failed to capitalize on five power plays, leaving crucial goals on the table and never finding a way to swing momentum. The lack of finish was costly — especially on a night where the chances were there but execution wasn’t.
Between the pipes, Drew Commesso did his part, stopping 24 of 26 shots and keeping Rockford alive well into the third period. He gave them every chance, but the skaters in front of him simply didn’t provide the offensive support needed to tie the game.
Rockford ended the night with 24 shots, pushed late with the goalie pulled, but couldn’t solve Posch again as the final seconds ticked away.
Bottom line:
The IceHogs battled, but the special teams hurt them, Makar made the difference early, and Rockford couldn’t finish their chances.
Rockford continues to battle through a difficult stretch, sitting 5th in the Central Division with a 9-12-2 record and just two wins in their last 10 outings (2-6-2). The recent skid has tightened the standings around them and underscored the need for more consistent execution, especially with several key players returning and the schedule only getting tougher.
Three Stars of the Week
Blackhawks
1️⃣ Tyler Bertuzzi 2G 2A 4PTS TOI 18:34 10SOG
2️⃣ Connor Bedard 2G 1A 3PTS TOI 20:50 13SOG
3️⃣ Frank Nazar 3A 3PTS TOI 18:55 6SOG
IceHogs
1️⃣ Samuel Savoie 3G 1A 4PTS
2️⃣ Nick Lardis 2A 2PTS
3️⃣ Drew Commesso 2.00 .923%
Prospects
1️⃣ Roman Kantserov 1G 3A 4PTS
2️⃣ Marek Vanacker 1G 2A 3PTS
3️⃣ jack Pridham 2G 1A 3PTS
Final Thoughts
Week 9 painted a clear picture of where the Blackhawks and IceHogs stand in their development curves — moments of real progress mixed with stretches where the details unraveled.
For the Blackhawks, the first half of the week showed a team capable of competing with playoff-caliber opponents. Chicago played two of its best road games of the season in Vegas and Los Angeles, skating with structure, discipline, and commitment. They earned points, killed penalties, defended inside, and generated offense with speed and confidence. That was the identity Jeff Blashill wants.
But the last two games were the complete opposite. The rematch against the Kings exposed the recurring second-period problem, and Anaheim simply overwhelmed Chicago from start to finish. When the Hawks lose their details — slow support, poor gaps, turnovers in transition — the entire system breaks down. Young teams are fragile, and this week showed how quickly momentum can swing away from them.
The blueprint is there. Chicago proved what they can be early in the week. Now the challenge is consistency — playing connected hockey for 60 minutes, not just in flashes.
The IceHogs had a difficult week of their own, dropping both games in a tight, competitive series against Colorado. Special teams were a major factor: missed power-play opportunities kept Rockford from taking control, and early breakdowns put them in chase mode. But the bright spots were clear. Samuel Savoie had a breakout weekend with three goals and four points. Nick Lardis continued to create offense, and Drew Commesso gave the team steady, composed goaltending.
The return of Laurent Brossoit was also a meaningful step for the organization, even if the result didn’t go Rockford’s way.
For both clubs, the story of Week 9 is the same:
The effort is there, the compete level is real, but the execution must improve.
Finishing chances, managing momentum swings, and staying connected within the structure will determine how quickly these young groups climb.
The foundation is building. Now it’s about tightening the details and finding consistency as December rolls on.
Next Week Schedule
Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
Wed, Dec. 10 – vs New York Rangers – 6:30 PM CDT
Fri, Dec. 12 – vs St. Louis Blues – 7:00 PM CDT
Sat, Dec. 13 – vs Detroit Red Wings – 7:00 PM CDT
Rockford IceHogs (AHL)
Fri, Dec. 12 – vs Milwaukee Admirals – 7:00 PM CDT
KEEP READING:
Blackhawks Weekly Recap: (Week 1)
Blackhawks Weekly Recap (Week 2)
Blackhawks Weekly Recap (Week 3)
Blackhawks Weekly Recap (Week 4)
Blackhawks Weekly Recap (Week 5)
Blackhawks Weekly Recap (Week 6)
Blackhawks Week in Review:Week 7
Blackhawks Week in Recap (Week 8
)Blackhawks October Report Card
Blackhawks: November Report Card
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