The Chicago Blackhawks battled hard Thursday night but came up just short in a 4–3 overtime loss to the Boston Bruins at TD Garden.
It was a much better showing than Tuesday’s opener in Florida, and the young Hawks earned a valuable point against one of the NHL’s top teams.
Game Summary
The Bruins struck early, but Connor Bedard answered quickly with a rocket from the left circle off a perfect pass from Andre Burakovsky — his first goal of the season and 28th career multi-point game before age 21.
Louis Crevier, dressed as the seventh defenseman after Jeff Blashill’s pre-game decision to scratch Sam Lafferty, rewarded his coach by giving Chicago a 2–1 lead early in the second with a wrist shot that deflected in front.
Boston tied the game early in the third on a five-on-three power play, and minutes later took a 3–2 lead.
But the Hawks pushed back again: Burakovsky snapped home his first goal as a Blackhawk from the slot after Colton Dach’s hard forecheck created the turnover.
In overtime, the Bruins capitalized on a 2-on-1 rush after Chicago lost a board battle — Minten buried the winner to seal it.
By the Numbers
| Category | Blackhawks | Bruins |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 3 | 4 (OT) |
| Shots on Goal | 24 | 33 |
| Faceoff % | 41.5% (27/65) | 58.5% (38/65) |
| Hits | 15 | 25 |
| Power Play | 0/3 | 1/5 |
| Penalty Kill | 4/5 | 3/3 |
| Giveaways | 15 | 17 |
| Blocked Shots | 6 | 16 |
| Top Ice Time (Skater) | Kaiser – 23:11 | McAvoy – 27:26 |
| Goaltending | Söderblom – 29/33 (.879) | Korpisalo – 21/24 (.875) |
Individual Stats
- Connor Bedard: 1 G + 1 A = 2 PTS, +1, 7 shot attempts, CF% 58.3, xGF 56.1 %
- Andre Burakovsky: 1 G + 1 A = 2 PTS, 5 shot attempts, CF% 66.7 %
- Louis Crevier: 1 G, +2, 8:22 TOI
- Frank Nazar: 1 A, 4 SOG, 4-for-12 FO (33 %)
- Colton Dach: 1 A, 6 hits
- Arvid Söderblom: 29 saves on 33 shots (.879 SV%)
My Three Takeaways
1️⃣ Bedard–Burakovsky Chemistry
This was the first real glimpse of what that pairing can become. Both looked confident, creative, and executed under pressure.
Dach’s physical play on the forecheck opened lanes and created the turnover leading to Burakovsky’s goal.
Their line generated 15 shot attempts and carried over 66 % possession — easily Chicago’s most dangerous trio of the night.
2️⃣ Areas to Improve
Faceoffs remain a major concern — Bedard went 0-for-3 while Nazar finished 3-for-12 for a combined 5-for-15 (33 %).
Foligno and Dickinson were solid at 57 %, but the young centers must improve if the Hawks want to start with the puck instead of chasing it.
Physicality also lagged: just 15 hits total, with Dach responsible for 6 of them. None of the seven defensemen registered more than two.
For a rebuilding team, identity starts with effort and grit. Discipline was another issue, with 5 penalties including the costly 5-on-3.
3️⃣ Levshunov’s Growing Pains
Artyom Levshunov’s raw skill is clear — smooth skater, great instincts — but his emotions got the best of him again.
After turnovers or missed shots, he visibly showed frustration and stopped moving his feet.
Blashill and the staff need to address this early. He’s going to be a top-pairing defenseman, but he must learn to reset mentally after mistakes.
Stood Out / Obscure / At the Office
🏒 Stood Out: Connor Bedard — Best game so far. Two points, several high-danger looks, and full control when on the puck. The connection with Burakovsky finally clicked.
🕶️ Obscure: Colton Dach — First game on the top line and made an impact. Six hits, strong puck retrievals, and great support play on the boards.
📎 At the Office: Artyom Levshunov — Flashes of elite ability but too emotional after mistakes. Needs to calm his game and keep playing through errors.
Facts & Performance Highlights
- Wyatt Kaiser played his 100th NHL game.
- Bedard tied Jonathan Toews for the sixth-most multi-point games before age 21 (28).
- Söderblom stopped several high-danger chances late in regulation to secure a point.
- The Hawks played with 11 forwards and 7 defensemen after Blashill’s roster change — a move that paid off with Crevier’s goal.
- Jason Dickinson left mid-game (no update yet). Ryan Greene filled in well with responsible minutes down the stretch.
Final Thoughts
It’s a learning process, but this was a step forward. The Hawks were sharper defensively, competed harder, and showed they can hang with elite teams.
he Bedard line found rhythm, the young blue line showed flashes, and Söderblom gave them another solid outing.
Now it’s time to bring that same energy home. Chicago returns to the United Center Saturday night for their Centennial Home Opener vs the Montreal Canadiens, where over 50 Blackhawks alumni will be honored.
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