Blackhawks Hit the Road with Playoff Implications, Roster Questions, and a Red-Hot Rookie
The Chicago Blackhawks head into December with more than just a change in the calendar - they’re stepping into a pivotal four-game road trip that could shape the trajectory of their season. After snapping a five-game skid with a gutsy 5-3 comeback win over the Anaheim Ducks, Chicago is looking to build momentum as they face a gauntlet of Western Conference contenders, starting with the Vegas Golden Knights.
This stretch isn’t just about stacking points - it’s about proving they belong in the playoff conversation.
A Crucial Road Test
The Blackhawks sit just one point behind the Seattle Kraken for the final Wild Card spot in the West. That’s not a massive gap, but in a conference where the margins are razor thin, every game matters - especially when you’re facing teams like Vegas, the Kings, and Anaheim, all of whom are currently in playoff position.
Head coach Jeff Blashill acknowledged the importance of this stretch, emphasizing the need for “great hockey.” And that message seems to have landed.
Their win over Anaheim wasn’t just two points - it was a morale boost. Down 3-0 early, the Hawks clawed back, showing the kind of resilience that’s been missing during their recent slide.
Defenseman Louis Crevier, who spoke after an optional skate before the team departed, summed up the mood: “It was fun. I think it was an important win for us, especially after that start. You know, just winning at the UC - you never get tired of it.”
But Crevier knows the road ahead is no cakewalk.
“We have four games. It’s against all good teams, as well.
So, I think consistency is something that we have to bring. There’s no day off against good teams like that,” he said.
“It’s going to be a challenge, for sure. But it’s always a good test for us, and we’re looking forward to it.”
The Blackhawks have already shown they can handle life on the road - they went 3-2-1 on their last extended trip back in early November. But with the playoff race heating up, they’ll be looking to raise the bar.
Slaggert’s Situation: Ice Time in Limbo
One of the storylines developing behind the scenes is the status of 23-year-old forward Landon Slaggert. The Blackhawks have run with an 11-forward, 7-defenseman lineup for much of the season, and that’s left players like Slaggert and Sam Lafferty on the outside looking in.
Slaggert’s season got off to a rocky start - he missed part of training camp and began the year on injured reserve. After a stint in Rockford, he was recalled in mid-November when the team was dealing with a rash of injuries. And to his credit, he filled in admirably during that stretch.
But now, with most of the forward group healthy again - only Nick Foligno remains out - Slaggert has found himself as a healthy scratch in three of the last four games. He’s appeared in just 10 games this season.
Coach Blashill addressed the situation, noting the team is still evaluating how best to manage Slaggert’s development.
“He’s at an age where he still needs to be playing,” Blashill said. “So, I think if it gets to a point where he’s not playing, we’ll have to look at it and decide what’s best for him and his development.”
It’s a familiar balancing act for NHL teams - do you keep a young player in the big league environment, even if he’s not playing every night, or send him down to get consistent reps? That decision could be coming soon.
Brossoit Returns - But What’s Next?
Goaltender Laurent Brossoit has officially been activated from the injured non-roster list after a long road back from multiple lower-body injuries, including offseason hip surgery. He hasn’t played in an NHL game since April 2024, but he’s been skating regularly and was recently assigned to the Rockford IceHogs on a conditioning stint.
Brossoit signed a two-year, $6.6 million deal in free agency, but with Spencer Knight and Arvid Söderblom holding down the crease in Chicago, there’s no clear path to NHL minutes right now.
Blashill confirmed Brossoit won’t be traveling with the team on this road trip, and the situation remains fluid. According to reports, the Blackhawks have given other teams permission to speak with Brossoit, potentially opening the door for a move if the fit isn’t there in Chicago.
For now, it’s just good to see the veteran netminder back on the ice after a grueling rehab process.
Bedard’s Star Continues to Rise
And then there’s Connor Bedard.
The 18-year-old phenom was named the NHL’s Third Star of the Month for November, after racking up 23 points in 14 games. That’s not just rookie-of-the-year stuff - that’s superstar-in-the-making stuff.
How rare is that level of production in a single month for a Blackhawk? Only one other player has matched it this century: Patrick Kane, who did it six times, most recently in March 2022.
Bedard currently sits third in the NHL in points with 37 and is coming off a four-point night against the Ducks. He’s not just meeting expectations - he’s blowing past them. His vision, puck control, and ability to create offense in tight spaces are already elite, and he’s only getting more comfortable.
If there’s a silver lining to the Blackhawks’ up-and-down season, it’s that they have a generational talent anchoring their rebuild - and he’s already making history.
As the Blackhawks embark on this critical road swing, the stakes are clear. They’re chasing a playoff spot, navigating roster decisions, and watching a rookie rewrite the record books. December is shaping up to be a defining month - and the journey starts now.