The Chicago Blackhawks played one of their most complete games of the season on Friday night, shutting out the Calgary Flames 4–0 at the Scotiabank Saddledome. It was the type of performance you want to see from a rebuilding team on a long road trip: disciplined, structured, and opportunistic with their best players stepping up.
Connor Bedard led the charge with a dominant four-point night (1G, 3A). Tyler Bertuzzi added two goals, Andre Burakovsky scored once, and Spencer Knight made 33 saves for his first shutout of the season and sixth of his NHL career. Chicago improved to 7-5-3 with back-to-back wins as they try to gain momentum during this six-game road swing.
For Calgary, it was a flat performance all around. The Flames were shut out for the first time this season, losing battles early, struggling with execution, and failing to generate sustained pressure despite outshooting Chicago 33–27.
GAME SUMMARY
1st Period — Chicago Strikes First
The Flames had early jump, generating pressure and forcing Knight into several solid saves in the opening ten minutes. Calgary led 11–10 in shots during the frame, but Chicago made their power play count.
At 12:32, the Blackhawks capitalized when Tyler Bertuzzi found space at the back post. Bedard threaded a perfect cross-ice pass, and Bertuzzi redirected it off his left leg and into the net. It wasn’t the cleanest finish, but it counted, and that’s what Bertuzzi does best: taking away the goalie’s eyes and getting touches around the crease.
Assists went to Connor Bedard and Artyom Levshunov.
Chicago took a 1–0 lead into the intermission.
Physical Tone: Three Fights in the First 22 Minutes
This game had bite.
Three separate fights broke out:
- Colton Dach vs Joel Farabee (16:19, 1st)
- Alex Vlasic vs MacKenzie Weegar (1:12, 2nd)
- Nick Foligno vs Joel Hanley (2:19, 2nd)
Chicago didn’t back down physically, matching Calgary hit-for-hit in the opening 40 minutes and setting the tone for the second half of the game.
2nd Period — Knight Holds the Fort
The Flames pushed again, outshooting Chicago 11–7. Knight stood tall, tracking pucks cleanly, controlling rebounds, and staying composed. Calgary lacked finish, but Knight gave them absolutely nothing.
Chicago’s penalty kill also delivered, shutting down Calgary on all three power plays on the night.
Despite the shots, the score remained 1–0 heading into the third.
3rd Period — Chicago Breaks the Game Open
With the Flames looking for a spark, the Blackhawks delivered the knockout blow early in the third period.
Bertuzzi Makes It 2–0 (1:11)
Bertuzzi scored his second of the night thanks to another perfect setup by Bedard. This time, Bedard worked the puck cross-ice, and Bertuzzi lifted it over Dustin Wolf for his sixth goal in his last four games.
Burakovsky picked up the secondary assist.
Burakovsky Extends the Lead (7:56)
Chicago kept pushing. Levshunov made a play up ice, Bedard carried the puck through the middle, and Burakovsky ripped a clean wrist shot from the slot to make it 3–0.
That assist gave Bedard his third point of the night.
Bedard Caps It Off (18:01)
The 18-year-old superstar wasn’t done.
With Calgary trying to break out, Bedard stole the puck from Morgan Frost, walked in alone, froze Wolf with a quick fake, and scored on the backhand-forehand move that has already become a signature for him.
POSTGAME QUOTES
Connor Bedard on his point streak:
“I’m playing with great players that are making the game easy on me. Sometimes the points come, sometimes they don’t. For me, it’s just about the process… making plays and being productive.”
Bedard on Bertuzzi’s net-front game:
“He’s so good at that. It looks easy, but it’s really not. Not many guys can do it as good as him.”
Spencer Knight on the team effort:
“I thought it was a really good team effort. Guys played really hard in all areas of the ice. Defensive zone, offensive zone, neutral zone… we’re really committed to working hard, so that’s good.”
Tyler Bertuzzi on winning on the road:
“These are hard games to win… really good team win.”
Calgary coach Ryan Huska on his team:
“I wasn’t a fan of our game tonight. To me we were slow because there was a lack of execution with the puck, without the puck. Lots of issues for us.”
Calgary’s MacKenzie Weegar on the Flames’ energy:
“You could feel it early. It felt quiet. Half the guys had energy, half didn’t.”
INJURY & TEAM NOTES
- Frank Nazar left the game in the first period after a collision with Joel Farabee. Chicago coach Jeff Blashill said he is day-to-day.
- Flames rookie defenseman Zayne Parekh left the game in the second period after taking a hit from Nick Foligno. Coach Huska said he will miss some time.
- The last Blackhawks player with at least 15 points during a point streak was Patrick Kane in six games during the 2021-22 season (three goals, 12 assists).
Game Stats
| Category | Blackhawks | Flames |
| Shots | 27 | 33 |
| Power Play | 1/3 | 0/3 |
| Faceoffs | 41.7% | 58.3% |
| Hits | 18 | 29 |
| Blocked Shots | 10 | 13 |
| Giveaways | 17 | 15 |
| Takeaways | 10 | 5 |
Blackhawks Highlights
Connor Bedard – 1G, 3A, 4PTS, +3, 21:32 TOI, 4 SOG, 45.5% FO
Andrei Burakovsky – 1G, 1A, 2PTS, +3, 19:09 TOI, 4 SOG
Tyler Bertuzzi – 2G, 2PTS, +3, 19:58 TOI, 3 SOG
Spencer Knight – 33-save Shutout
Artyom Levshunov – 1A, 1PTS, 17:30 TOI
Three Stars of the Game (NHL)
1. Connor Bedard (CHI) – 1G, 3A, 4PTS
2. Spencer Knight (CHI) – 33-save shutout (1st)
3. Tyler Bertuzzi (CHI) – 2G, 2PTS
My Three Takeaways
1. Bedard is on another level right now
This kid is dominating.
Seven-game point streak.
Fifteen points in those seven games (6G, 9A), including nine primary assists.
Four multi-point games in his streak and already three games with 3+ points this season.
He is driving offense, controlling pace, and making elite players better. His late goal was straight out of a Patrick Kane highlight pack — strip the puck, attack the goalie, finish with confidence.
He now sits at 22 points, just one behind Celebrini for the NHL lead. The breakout season is happening.
2. Spencer Knight is proving he’s a top-five goalie today
Knight was calm, technical, and rock-solid.
He stopped all 33 shots for his first shutout with Chicago and nearly had one in his last start too.
Over his last two games:
76 saves on 78 shots (.974 SV%)
Season totals:
6-3-2, 2.33 GAA, .926 SV%
He leads the league in Goals Saved Above Average (10.5 GSVA) and ranks third in save percentage. This is elite-level goaltending from a young netminder who is finding his confidence again.
At this point, he is carrying the Hawks’ stability in net every night.
3. Bertuzzi & Burakovsky are shining at the right time
Two veterans. Over 1,200 NHL games combined. 300 goals before tonight.
Now they look reborn.
Bertuzzi has five goals in his last two games and is playing with swagger.
Burakovsky has eight points in his last six games and points in four of the five games on this road trip.
Both are perfect complements to Bedard. They go to the right spots, win their battles, and finish the plays he creates. This line is suddenly one of the hottest in the Western Conference.
Next Game
Sunday @ Detroit – 1:00 PM CDT
Big matinee Original Six matchup. Another test on the road before this trip wraps up.
KEEP READING:
Knight and Bedard Are Transforming the Blackhawks
Hawks Search For The Right Fit Beside Bedard
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