The Chicago Blackhawks ended January with a 4–2 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday night at the United Center, extending their losing streak to five games while completing a difficult back-to-back after a 6–2 defeat in Pittsburgh the night before. Columbus, meanwhile, stayed red-hot, winning for the eighth time in its last nine games.
The opening period was quiet for nearly 19 minutes, with limited sustained pressure on either side. Columbus finally broke through late on the power play when Charlie Coyle scored his 13th goal of the season at 19:13, finishing a rebound off a Zach Werenski shot. Chicago answered just 44 seconds later, as Connor Bedard scored his 22nd goal of the season at 19:57, jumping on a loose puck in front to tie the game 1–1 heading into intermission.
Momentum swung early in the second period. Just 83 seconds in, Coyle struck again, intercepting a clearing attempt and scoring from the right hash marks for his 14th of the season, restoring Columbus’ lead. The Blue Jackets made it 3–1 at 6:47 when Mathieu Olivier scored his 6th goal, finishing a play set up by Coyle and Werenski.
Chicago responded midway through the period. On a 2-on-1 rush created by Bedard, Frank Nazar scored his 7th goal of the season at 10:49, cutting the deficit to 3–2. The goal was Nazar’s first since December 18, after missing 14 games with a broken jaw, and brought the Blackhawks back within one heading into the third.
Despite tired legs on the second night of a back-to-back, Chicago pushed hard in the final frame. The Blackhawks outshot Columbus 8–3 in the third period, generated sustained zone time, and earned a late power play, but were unable to convert. With Spencer Knight pulled for the extra attacker, Coyle completed his second NHL career hat trick with an empty-net goal at 18:57 — his 15th of the season — sealing the 4–2 final.
Coyle finished the night with three goals and an assist and now has nine points (five goals, four assists) over his last three games. Werenski added two assists, was named the game’s third star, extended his four-game point streak, and reached 40 assists on the season. Elvis Merzlikins made 22 saves for Columbus.
For Chicago, the first line carried the offense. Bedard (1G, 1A), Tyler Bertuzzi (2A), and Nazar (1G) combined for five points, accounting for all of the Blackhawks’ scoring. Knight finished with 22 saves in the loss.
Chicago also made notable lineup decisions earlier in the day. Defenseman Sam Rinzel was recalled from Rockford and logged 22:18 of ice time with three shots on goal in his NHL debut, while Artyom Levshunov was a healthy scratch after Thursday’s loss in Pittsburgh.
The game also marked milestone nights for veterans Teuvo Teräväinen and Connor Murphy, each of whom played their 800th NHL game.
January told a clear story of extremes for the Blackhawks. Chicago opened the month strong, winning five of its first six games, but closed January with five losses, underlining the inconsistency that defined the stretch and resulted in a 7-7-2 record overall.
Despite recording two shutouts, Chicago was frequently overwhelmed defensively, allowing four or more goals in seven games. Offense remained a major issue throughout the month, with the Blackhawks scoring two goals or fewer in nine games, making it difficult to sustain momentum even during competitive stretches.
Special teams further reflected the imbalance. The power play struggled all month, entering February on a 10-game stretch without a power-play goal, consistently failing to capitalize on key opportunities. In contrast, the penalty kill was elite, allowing only two power-play goals against during January and ranking No. 1 in the NHL over that span.
January ultimately exposed a team capable of short bursts of success but unable to maintain consistency, with defensive lapses, limited scoring support, and a non-producing power play offsetting an excellent penalty kill.
Next Game:
The Blackhawks return to action on Monday, Feb. 2 at 7:30 PM CDT, hosting the San Jose Sharks at the United Center. The matchup brings added intrigue with Macklin Celebrini in town, as Chicago looks to reset after an inconsistent January and open February on a stronger note.
