The Chicago Blackhawks and San Jose Sharks may be sitting near the bottom of the standings, but Monday night’s game at the United Center felt like a glimpse into the NHL’s future. Two of the league’s brightest young stars-Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini-shared the ice for the first time in what could become a marquee matchup for years to come. And while both teams are still in the building phase, there’s no denying the raw talent on display.
The Blackhawks came out firing and didn’t let up, earning a 6-3 win that snapped a five-game losing streak and sent their fans home happy before the long Olympic break. With no home games on the schedule until March 6, this one was about more than just two points-it was a statement that this team still has some bite.
Let’s break down the key takeaways from a night where Chicago’s offense finally found its rhythm.
Blackhawks Roll with Familiar Lines - and a Key Change
Chicago iced nearly the same lineup they used against Columbus on Jan. 30, with one notable tweak: Colton Dach slotted into the fourth line in place of Sam Lafferty. Here's how the lines and pairings shaped up:
Forwards:
- Frank Nazar - Connor Bedard - Tyler Bertuzzi
- Teuvo Teravainen - Ryan Greene - Andre Burakovsky
- Ryan Donato - Jason Dickinson - Ilya Mikheyev
- Colton Dach - Oliver Moore - Sam Lafferty
Defense:
- Alex Vlasic - Louis Crevier
- Wyatt Kaiser - Sam Rinzel
- Matt Grzelcyk - Connor Murphy
Goalies: Spencer Knight / Arvid Soderblom
Scratches: Sam Lafferty, Artyom Levshunov, Nick Foligno (undisclosed injury)
Bedard Ends Power Play Drought in Style
The Blackhawks had been ice-cold on the power play-0-for-26 over their last 10 games. But leave it to Connor Bedard to snap that streak. The 18-year-old phenom buried a first-period power play goal, assisted by Teuvo Teravainen and Tyler Bertuzzi, to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead.
That goal marked Bedard’s third in as many games and his 23rd of the season, tying his career high. He’s heating up at the right time, and with his elite shot and vision, it’s only a matter of time before he sets a new personal best.
Second Period Surge Blows Game Open
Once Bedard got the Hawks on the board, the floodgates opened. Chicago exploded for four more goals in the second period, showcasing contributions from all over the lineup.
First, defenseman Connor Murphy jumped into the play and scored his fourth of the season. Moments later, Ryan Donato made a highlight-reel diving play to beat the Sharks’ netminder for his 12th of the year.
Then it was Sam Rinzel’s turn. The young blueliner, just two games removed from a call-up from Rockford, notched his second goal of the season with a confident finish to make it 4-0.
San Jose responded with goals from Will Smith and Macklin Celebrini, but Ilya Mikheyev answered in between with a timely tally off a slick feed from Jason Dickinson. That made it 5-2 heading into the third.
Shakir Mukhamadullin added a goal for the Sharks in the final frame, but Donato capped off his night with his second goal to seal the win at 6-3.
Donato-Dickinson-Mikheyev Line Steals the Show
They might be listed as the third line, but against the Sharks, Ryan Donato, Jason Dickinson, and Ilya Mikheyev were the Blackhawks’ engine. Tasked with shutting down San Jose’s top trio of Celebrini, Smith, and Tyler Toffoli, they not only held their own defensively-they dominated offensively.
Donato finished with two goals and two assists. Mikheyev added a goal and three helpers.
Dickinson chipped in with two assists of his own. In just 8:37 of ice time together, the trio generated five shots for and allowed just three against.
They scored four goals and gave up none during their shifts. That’s efficiency.
After the game, head coach Jeff Blashill singled out Mikheyev for praise, calling his game “a simple kind of greatness.” The Russian winger isn’t flashy, but he’s relentless-winning puck battles, defending hard, and making smart plays. It’s the kind of effort that doesn’t always show up on highlight reels but earns the respect of teammates and coaches alike.
Donato echoed that sentiment, calling Dickinson “a great centerman” and Mikheyev “a workhorse,” adding that they’re both easy to play with. The chemistry on this line is real-and if they keep this up, they’ll be tough to break apart.
Penalty Kill Still Elite
Chicago’s penalty kill continues to be a bright spot. The Hawks went 4-for-4 on the PK against San Jose and now lead the NHL with an 85.6% success rate. That’s not a fluke-it’s a result of structure, communication, and buy-in.
Jason Dickinson explained the mindset: “Everybody knows in these situations who’s got to go, and who’s got to support, and who needs to be the middle coverage, who’s got to attack the wall. So we’re on a good stretch here where guys just know-it’s instinctual.”
When a team’s penalty kill is clicking like that, it becomes a weapon, not just a survival tool.
Mixed Night for Greene Line
The line of Andre Burakovsky, Ryan Greene, and Teuvo Teravainen had a tougher outing, ending up on the ice for two goals against. But Greene held his own at the faceoff dot, winning 9-of-14 draws (64%)-a bright spot on a night when most of the team struggled in that area.
Confidence Boost Before the Break
Scoring six goals in a game-especially after a dry spell-can do wonders for a team’s confidence. Coach Blashill acknowledged as much postgame: “As a coach you’d love to win 3-1, but to score six matters.
I think guys feel better about themselves when that happens. And I know how important confidence is, so it was a good thing for us.”
The Blackhawks have one more game before the Olympic break-a rematch with the Blue Jackets on Feb. 4. If they can carry this momentum into that contest, they’ll head into the pause with a much-needed boost.
Looking Ahead: Rivalry in the Making?
The next two matchups between the Blackhawks and Sharks are set for April 6 in San Jose and April 15 in Chicago-the final regular season game for the Hawks and second-to-last for the Sharks. Whether or not those games carry playoff implications, they’ll be worth watching.
With Bedard and Celebrini leading the charge, this could be the beginning of a compelling new rivalry between two rebuilding franchises with sky-high ceilings. Monday night was just the opening act-and it didn’t disappoint.