Blackhawks Let Another One Slip Away Against the Wild, But There Are Silver Linings
At this point, it’s starting to feel like there’s something in the water when the Blackhawks play the Wild - and not in a good way. Tuesday night marked Chicago’s 17th loss in their last 18 meetings with Minnesota since 2019. And just like their late-November clash, this one stung.
The Blackhawks came out flying, building a 3-0 lead and looking every bit in control. But as has become all too familiar, that cushion didn’t last.
Minnesota clawed their way back, scoring three unanswered to tie the game before the end of regulation. And once again, it was Kirill Kaprizov playing heartbreaker, scoring the lone goal in the shootout to seal a 4-3 win for the Wild at Grand Casino Arena - a building Chicago hasn’t conquered in over five years.
The loss is tough to swallow, especially considering the Blackhawks had three power-play opportunities late in the game, including one in overtime. None of them found the back of the net. That’s the kind of missed opportunity that comes back to haunt you, and it did just that.
A Glimmer of Chemistry: Bedard and Nazar Show Promise
Despite the gut-punch finish, there were some encouraging takeaways - starting with the debut of a new-look top line featuring Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar. The two young forwards showed immediate chemistry, creating chances and pushing the pace. It’s early, but if this pairing continues to click, it could be a foundational piece for Chicago’s rebuild.
Defensively, the Hawks weren’t bad either. They held the Wild to just 23 shots on goal and limited them to eight high-danger chances.
That’s a solid defensive effort by most standards. It didn’t translate to a win, but it’s the kind of structure that can lead to more consistent results down the stretch.
Injury Woes in Rockford
Meanwhile, down in the AHL, the Rockford IceHogs had a rough night of their own. Nick Lardis, freshly assigned to the team on Monday, was a late scratch due to illness.
Things got worse when goaltender Drew Commesso exited midway through the game with an upper-body injury and didn’t return. Without their top netminder, the IceHogs fell 5-3 to the Milwaukee Admirals.
Commesso’s status will be something to monitor. The 21-year-old is one of the organization’s top goaltending prospects and has been putting together a solid season in Rockford.
Prospect Watch: Jack Pridham Keeps Producing
On a more positive note, 2024 third-round pick Jack Pridham continues to light it up in the OHL. The Kitchener Rangers forward notched two assists in a 4-1 win over the Sarnia Sting, pushing his season total to 60 points - making him one of just five players in the league to hit that mark so far.
Over his last eight games, Pridham has racked up 18 points (8 goals, 10 assists). That’s the kind of production that gets the front office excited.
Around the NHL: Trades, Milestones, and Suspensions
Elsewhere in the league, the trade market is heating up with the Olympic break looming. Chris Johnston’s latest trade board features three Blackhawks among the 40 players potentially on the move, signaling that Chicago could be active in the coming weeks.
The New York Islanders made another move, acquiring veteran forward Ondrej Palat from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Maxim Tsyplakov. That’s two straight days of inter-division trades for the Isles, who are clearly positioning themselves for a playoff push.
In Detroit, Patrick Kane is on the brink of history. With an assist on an Alex DeBrincat goal, Kane tied Mike Modano for the most points ever by a U.S.-born player.
His next point will make him the all-time leader. It’s a monumental milestone, though it came in a 3-1 loss to the Kings, so the celebration was understandably muted.
Pittsburgh will be without Bryan Rust for the next three games. The winger was suspended for an illegal check to the head of Vancouver’s Brock Boeser on Sunday. That’s a blow for the Penguins as they prepare to host the Blackhawks on Thursday.
Speaking of Vancouver, things went from bad to worse. Already sitting at the bottom of the league standings, the Canucks will now be without starting goaltender Thatcher Demko for the rest of the season. The former Vezina finalist is set to undergo hip surgery - a massive loss for a team that’s already struggling to stay afloat.
In Buffalo, defenseman Rasmus Dahlin had himself a night. He recorded his first career hat trick and added two assists in a 7-4 win over the Maple Leafs. That’s a five-point performance from the blue line - elite stuff from one of the league’s most dynamic defensemen.
The Avalanche locked in defenseman Sam Malinski with a four-year extension carrying a $4.75 million cap hit. The 27-year-old was set to hit unrestricted free agency this summer, but Colorado made sure to keep him in the fold.
And finally, Sweden’s Olympic roster got a bit of a shakeup. With Jonas Brodin sidelined by injury, Boston Bruins defenseman Hampus Lindholm has been named to the national team. He’ll bring veteran presence and stability to a blue line that’s taken a few hits in recent weeks.
Looking Ahead
For the Blackhawks, the loss to Minnesota is another frustrating chapter in a season filled with growing pains. But if the Bedard-Nazar connection is any indication, there’s reason to believe better days are coming. The wins may not be piling up just yet, but the building blocks are starting to take shape.