The Blackhawks left St. Louis on Thursday night with a 1-0 preseason loss, and the result was shaped less by one bad bounce than by a game that never really settled down. Chicago’s third exhibition game against the Blues turned into a messy, penalty-heavy night, and the lone goal came after the Hawks lost control of the moment in the third period.
The day had already brought a major storyline before puck drop: Oliver Moore signed a five-year contract extension with a $4.25 annual cap hit and still made the trip. Patrick Kane also suited up for his Blackhawks re-debut, while Jeff Blashill hinted earlier in the day that the team may be holding Kane’s United Center debut for the home opener on Oct.
- Asked whether the club was saving that moment, Blashill grinned and said, "Something like that."
He also likely won’t play in the final preseason game Saturday (Sept. 26).
Chicago rolled out a lineup that mixed NHL regulars with several young players getting a real look. Roman Kantserov skated on a top line with Kane and Frank Nazar, while AJ Spellacy and Sacha Boisvert were given chances alongside a mostly NHL group.
Landon Slaggert, who remains on the bubble for the opening roster, also got an opportunity to make his case. Jordan Greenway, who had been on the fourth line through camp, missed the game after tweaking something in practice Wednesday and is day-to-day with a lower body injury.
Dillon Boucher, Connor Mylymok and Connor Mackey filled in for other players sitting out.
The Blackhawks started the night sloppily, just as they had in their second preseason game. They took three minor penalties in the first period, but the penalty kill held up.
Chicago then got a power play late in the opening frame and couldn’t cash in, even with four shots on goal. Kantserov was credited with three of the Blackhawks’ five shots in the period, while St.
Louis put 11 pucks on net.
There was at least a glimpse of why the Kantserov-Kane-Nazar trio is worth watching. The puck movement looked sharp on one sequence, with Kantserov and Kane feeding Nazar for a quality chance.
Terrific passes by Roman Kantserov and then Patrick Kane to Frank Nazar, who gets off a quality shot. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/OnK9tXO2Gw
- Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) September 25, 2026
Chicago had two more power plays in the second period and still couldn’t break through. By the end of 40 minutes, the game was still scoreless, but the Blues had tilted the ice with a 23-12 edge in shots.
The third period brought the night’s turning point. Spellacy and Ross Johnston got into it after the play, and Spellacy was hit with a five-minute major and tossed for head-butting.
Johnston also drew two double minors for roughing in the exchange. On the resulting four-on-four, Calle Rosen scored to put St.
Louis ahead 1-0, and that ended up being the game-winner.
A.J. Spellacy is ejected for headbutting Ross Johnston. pic.twitter.com/t9PDLjBT4B
- Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) September 25, 2026
The game never really got cleaner from there. Both teams piled up penalties, with the Blackhawks getting five power plays and the Blues seven. Later in the third, Sacha Boisvert and Nathan Walker dropped the gloves, and Boisvert came out on top in that fight.
What a fight by Sacha Boisvert during the commercial break: pic.twitter.com/nq2PvaeoF6
- BHF (@BlackhawksFocus) September 25, 2026
Chicago pulled its goalie with 2:03 left, but couldn’t force the equalizer. St. Louis finished with a 36-16 shot advantage, and the Blackhawks headed home with a shutout loss on the board.
The bright spot was Arvid Soderblom, who was excellent despite the defeat. He stopped 35 of 36 shots for a .972 save percentage and was easily Chicago’s best player on the night. Kane, Nazar and Kaiser wore the “A” on their sweaters for the contest.
The same two teams meet again Saturday at the United Center in the Blackhawks’ final preseason game, and Blashill suggested that lineup should be close to what Chicago plans to use on opening night. The regular season begins Wednesday, Sept. 29, when the Blackhawks visit the Golden Knights in Las Vegas.
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