The Blackhawks spent a lot of 2025-2026 chasing games in overtime and coming up short. That has to change if they want any real shot at a playoff push in 2026-2027.
Last season, Chicago went to extra time 21 times, and eight of those ended in a shootout. The final extra-time record was 7-14 overall, including a 4-9 mark in overtime and 3-5 in the shootout. That kind of finish leaves no wiggle room, and the Blackhawks know the 3-on-3 and shootout work needs to tighten up fast.
One of the biggest issues was faceoffs. Chicago struggled there all year and finished second-to-last in the league with a 46.0% win rate.
In overtime, that matters immediately. Too often last season, the Blackhawks lost the opening draw and barely got a touch on the puck.
The centers have to do better if the team wants to flip that script.
The numbers from last season show some room for growth. Frank Nazar finished at 47.4% on faceoffs, Connor Bedard at 47.1%, and Ryan Greene at 42.7%.
Bedard made a major offseason push to improve in that area, and his numbers jumped noticeably. If Bedard and Nazar can get close to 50%, and if Frondell or Kantserov can hold up at center, Chicago should give itself a much better chance to start overtime with the puck.
There was also a stretch last year when Jason Dickinson was still on the roster and handled the opening draw in overtime, so the Blackhawks could again lean on a specialist if someone separates himself there.
Bowen Byram should also change the feel of these situations. Last season, Alex Vlasic, Artyom Levshunov, and Sam Rinzel all opened overtime as the lone defenseman at different points. Byram brings steadiness and offensive punch, and that combination should help Chicago create more chances and finish more games in overtime as the season goes on.
The Blackhawks also have more speed to work with now. Nazar, Nick Lardis, Anton Frondell, and Roman Kantserov all bring pace and finishing ability that should translate into more overtime wins than last year. At the same time, if Chicago needs a defensive-zone setup, Jeff Blashill has options there too, including Greene and Teuvo Teravainen.
The shootout should look different as well with Patrick Kane back in the mix. Kane is the NHL career leader with 55 shootout goals, and the Blackhawks will likely use Bedard first and Kane second, the same kind of one-two punch that defined so many years during the dynasty era with Toews and Kane.
Among the current roster, the 2025-2026 shootout goal scorers were Connor Bedard with 2, Nick Lardis with 2, Ryan Donato with 1, Oliver Moore with 1, and Frank Nazar with 1. With the first two spots set, Blashill still has choices for the third shooter.
Lardis could get the early nod there, especially until Bedard returns from injury, and Frondell and Kantserov should also get looks. Practice shootouts could help sort that out quickly.
Goaltending matters just as much in the shootout, and that side of the equation should be better too. Arvid Soderblom had a rough history in shootouts before last season, when he finally snapped a streak of nine straight shootout goals allowed by winning a game. Still, the Blackhawks will likely prefer Spencer Knight in net when a shootout comes up this season, since his record is much stronger.
With Kane, Byram, and the top prospects all in the mix, Chicago should be better in extra time. The roster has more skill, more speed, and more options than it did a year ago. That should mean fewer shootouts, more control in 3-on-3, and a much better chance to come out on top when games go past regulation.
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Chicagos prospect pool was also ranked the best in the league, a reminder that this is not just about one or two names carrying the load. For a franchise still trying to climb back into contention, the attention on these rookies adds another layer of anticipation, especially with more incoming help on the horizon and plenty of room for the roster picture to keep changing as the season approaches. [Read more 🡒]