The Chicago Blackhawks returned to the United Center on Friday against the Vancouver Canucks after a one-night beatdown of the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday. With Blues behind them, the Hawks looked to extend their two-game winning streak to three. Prior to the game, the Hawks announced Landon Slaggert has been taken off of injured reserve.
Despite Slaggert being active, the Hawks only changed to their lineup was Spencer Knight in at goalie. With Vancouver having played Dallas the night before, the Hawks looked to take advantage of their fatigue early.
First period
Under two minutes into the game, the Blackhawks drew their first penalty of the game. Kiefer Sherwood was called for hooking against Matt Grzelcyk, and the Hawks capitalized with a Ryan Donato tally.
Ryan Donato with a backdoor tap-in on the power play for his second goal of the season. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/q2hnjHeYQZ
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) October 18, 2025
Later in the period, Tyler Bertuzzi gave the Hawks a 2-0 lead.
Tyler Bertuzzi cleans up the rebound for his second goal of the season with 46 seconds left in the opening frame. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/Hu95gCdTRR
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) October 18, 2025
The period ended with the Hawks up 2-0.
Second period
The Canucks found their legs in the second period with a power-play goal from Jake DeBrusk and a even-strength goal from Max Sasson. The second period ended tied at 2-2.
Third period
In the third period, Bertuzzi thought he had scored the go-ahead goal with 5:12 left in the third period. Instead the play was reviewed and ruled goalie interference and no goal.
Tyler Bertuzzi had his second of the game but it gets waved off. No clue why pic.twitter.com/lDgKwd4XAH
— BHF (@BlackhawksFocus) October 18, 2025
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The game went to overtime.
Overtime/Shootout
In overtime, Knight and Kevin Lankinen both put on impressive shows. Knight had to make the save of the game near the end of overtime.
Great stop by Spencer Knight on Elias Pettersson (#40) to extend the game to a shootout pic.twitter.com/iw00JBvBaX
— BHF (@BlackhawksFocus) October 18, 2025
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In the shootout after three rounds, Brock Boeser buried the game-winner for Vancouver.
Analysis
The Hawks played great in the first and third periods with a letdown in period two. Despite the shootout loss, we saw the importance of Knight and Bertuzzi. Knight had one of his best performances as a Hawk, while Bertuzzi was the best Blackhawks player in the game. Both players playing well will help the Hawks to continue to improve this season.
On the defense, a bright spot was Louis Crevier. Crevier had an effective role on the penalty kill, especially with a good poke check. Wyatt Kaiser also had another strong performance.
This Hawks team continues to grow this season and continues to make strides.
The Hawks’ next game is Sunday against the Anaheim Ducks as Joel Quenneville returns to town. The game will start at 6 p.m. CDT.