The Blackhawks finally stitched together back-to-back wins, and they did it the hard way Thursday night at the United Center.
Chicago beat the Winnipeg Jets 4-3 in overtime to pick up consecutive victories for the first time in the 2026-27 season, and the game had just about everything: a Connor Bedard power-play finish, a Frank Nazar breakaway, a late equalizer from Winnipeg and then Artyom Levshunov ending it in overtime.
Bedard opened the scoring midway through the first period during a 5-on-3, burying his first goal of the season. Not long after, Nazar stretched the lead to 2-0 with a breakaway goal of his own, giving Chicago an early cushion.
That cushion didn’t survive for long.
Neal Pionk answered with a one-timer from the point that tipped in off Ethan Del Mastro, cutting the deficit in half. But the Blackhawks restored the two-goal edge just 14 seconds later when Ryan Donato scored for Chicago.
Winnipeg kept hanging around. Kyle Connor pulled the Jets back within one early in the second period on the power play, and Alex Iafallo tied it in the third, setting the stage for overtime.
That’s where Levshunov delivered the finish, snapping home the winner to give Chicago the second point.
The overtime goal was one of several flashes from Levshunov on the night, and his impact went beyond the headline play. Earlier in the game, his work showed up in more subtle ways, the kind of moments that don’t always jump off the screen but still point to the physical tools he brings. He also doesn’t have to do it alone - Spencer Knight’s save before the winner was a major piece of the sequence.
Nazar’s return from suspension changed the look of the forward groups, and Blashill put him with Oliver Moore. That combination paid off.
Chicago’s best line of the night was Nazar, Moore and Donato, who controlled play in a big way. At 5-on-5, that trio finished with advantages of 13-8 in shot attempts, 10-3 in scoring chances, 4-1 in high-danger chances and 2-1 in goals.
Their 63.36 percent expected goal share reflected how much they dictated when they were out there.
Overall, though, Winnipeg eventually tilted the 5-on-5 battle. The Jets finished with just under a 63 percent share of expected goals, and Chicago’s possession issues remain hard to ignore. The Blackhawks have played eight games and have finished with positive possession numbers in only one of them, the 4-1 loss to the Islanders one week ago.
The power play, though, looked different with Bedard on it, and Chicago made the most of that early 5-on-3 instead of letting it slip away. That mattered.
Levshunov’s celebration said plenty after the winner. Patrick Kane also weighed in on Levshunov trying to jump on him after the game-winning goal, a moment that fit the energy of a young player who seems to know exactly what kind of lift he can give this team.
For Chicago, this was a night filled with encouraging signs, even if the larger picture still has plenty of room for improvement. There’s still a sense this group hasn’t yet had every offensive piece on the ice together, and the Blackhawks are hoping for Byram’s return to the lineup soon.
For now, though, they’ve got another win - and another game-changing moment from Levshunov.
The Blackhawks host the Dallas Stars on Saturday night at 6 p.m.
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Blackhawks Week Off Carries Pressure As One Roster Issue Looms
Midway through a seven-game homestand, the Blackhawks have given themselves a little room to breathe with a 2-2-0 start, and Connor Bedards recent return has helped steady things after his absence. Chicago still has issues to clean up, especially on the defensive side, but the mood around the team is a bit better heading into a five-day break before the Canadiens come to town.
The pause could also prove useful for a blue line that has already had to adjust. Bowen Byram has been sidelined recently, and Ethan Del Mastro has stepped into the lineup in his place over the past two games, giving the coaches one more thing to monitor as the week off unfolds. With Montreal next on the schedule, the Blackhawks will be watching closely to see whether the break helps settle one of their lingering roster questions. [Read more 🡒]