The Chicago Blackhawks are gearing up to host the Minnesota Wild at the United Center in the first of a quick back-to-back series. These two teams will face off again on Thursday in Minnesota, wrapping up their regular-season meetings.
The Wild have had the upper hand in their previous encounters this season, edging out the Blackhawks in both games with 4-3 wins-one in overtime and the other in a shootout. Chicago's struggles against Minnesota are well-documented, having only managed one win in their last 18 matchups since 2020.
In the last clash, the Wild staged a dramatic comeback from a 3-0 deficit, showcasing their resilience with goals from Yakov Trenin, Joel Eriksson-Ek, and Jared Spurgeon. Kirill Kaprizov, who scored the OT winner in the first game, sealed the shootout victory in the second.
The Blackhawks recently saw their modest two-game win streak snapped by the Vegas Golden Knights, who shut them out 4-0. It was a tough outing for Chicago, as Vegas pounced early with three goals in the first 12 minutes, leaving the Blackhawks playing catch-up.
On the other hand, the Wild are looking to bounce back from a 4-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Despite this recent skid, Minnesota remains solidly in third place in the Central Division, comfortably ahead of the fourth-place Utah Mammoth.
This matchup is particularly notable as it marks the return of former Blackhawks captain Nick Foligno to the United Center. Foligno, who was traded to Minnesota earlier this month, was a key figure in Chicago, tallying 83 points over 189 games. Now with the Wild, he's already making his presence felt with physical play and leadership.
As the puck drops at 6:30 p.m. CT, here's how the lineups are shaping up:
Blackhawks Projected Lineup
Forward Lines:
- Ryan Greene - Connor Bedard - Andre Burakovsky
- Tyler Bertuzzi - Frank Nazar - Teuvo Teravainen
- Andrew Mangiapane - Ryan Donato - Ilya Mikheyev
- Nick Lardis - Sam Lafferty - Landon Slaggert
Defensive Pairings:
- Alex Vlasic - Artyom Levshunov
- Wyatt Kaiser - Sam Rinzel
- Matt Grzelcyk - Louis Crevier
Scratched: D - Ethan Del Mastro
Injured: F - Oliver Moore (lower body)
The Blackhawks' lineup might see some tweaks, especially with Wyatt Kaiser returning after missing the last game. Coach Jeff Blashill is experimenting with his defensive pairings, giving Artyom Levshunov a chance to shine on the top line.
Wild Projected Lineup
Forward Lines:
- Kirill Kaprizov - Danila Yurov - Matt Boldy
- Mats Zuccarello - Ryan Hartman - Vladimir Tarasenko
- Marcus Johansson - Michael McCarron - Nick Foligno
- Yakov Trenin - Nico Sturm - Robby Fabbri
Defensive Pairings:
- Quinn Hughes - Brock Faber
- Jonas Brodin - Jared Spurgeon
- Jacob Middleton - Zach Bogosian
Scratched: F - Hunter Haight, D - Daemon Hunt, D - Jeff Petry
Injured: F - Bobby Brink (upper body), F - Joel Eriksson Ek (lower body), F - Marcus Foligno (lower body)
Projected Goaltending Matchup
- Spencer Knight (CHI): Knight is set for his 45th start, looking to improve his record against the Wild.
- Filip Gustavsson (MIN): Gustavsson boasts a strong track record against the Blackhawks, with impressive stats in previous encounters.
2025-26 Results vs. Wild
- 11/26/25 - 4-3 OTL, United Center
- 01/27/26 - 4-3 SOL, Grand Casino Arena
Team Stats & Leaders
Chicago Blackhawks:
- Goals: Tyler Bertuzzi (28)
- Assists: Connor Bedard (35)
- Points: Connor Bedard (62)
Minnesota Wild:
- Goals: Matt Boldy & Kirill Kaprizov (38)
- Assists: Quinn Hughes (61)
- Points: Kirill Kaprizov (79)
How To Watch, Listen, & Game Info
- Minnesota Wild @ Chicago Blackhawks
- Time: 6:30 p.m.
CT
- Location: United Center
- TV/Stream: TNT, HBO MAX
This game promises to be a thrilling chapter in the ongoing rivalry between the Blackhawks and the Wild. With both teams eager to prove themselves, fans can expect an intense battle on the ice.