Rieger Lorenz got the scoring started at 7:56 of the first period to put Minnesota up 1-0. However, the Blackhawks struck back to score the final goal of the opening frame as well as the lone tally of the second stanza to take a 2-1 lead into the third.
Grand Casino Arena Preseason Opener Settled in Overtime
Nico Sturm stepped up for Minnesota to knot the game at 2-2 by scoring at 14:06 of the interval. His goal stood until the horn blew to signal another period was necessary to decide matters. Tyler Pitlick sent Wild supporters home with smiles on their faces by putting home the game winner at 3:58 of overtime as Minnesota joined Dallas atop the Central Division preseason standings.
Calvin Pickard drew the honors of manning the Wild goal for the team’s first home game since Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals on May 11. Pickard went the distance for the hosts, making 14 saves, including four stops on Chicago power plays.
Roster Adjustments and Lineup Changes at the United Center
The first Blackhawks game of the regular season is now just eight days away, and preparation for that continues as Chicago hosts the Minnesota Wild for a preseason game at the United Center. Over the weekend, a trio of prospects were returned to their junior teams, most notably 2026 second-round pick Ryan Roobroeck, so the training camp roster now stands at 47 players.
Of those 47 players, the ones expected to still be on the NHL roster next week make up the lineup for the evening contest. There is one major exception regarding a high-profile absence. Those expecting a glimpse of No. 88 in a Blackhawks uniform for the first time in three years will have to wait a little longer, as Jeff Blashill confirms Patrick Kane won’t play tonight.
Three more players are not in the lineup for this game after skating in Minnesota on Saturday night. Jeff Blashill confirmed that Slaggert, Kane, Del Mastro, and Korchinski will sit out the matchup.
Lineup Adjustments and Youth-Heavy Opposition
With Kane out of the top line, speculation surrounded potential combinations involving Teuvo Teravainen, who has been an odd man out during this speed run of a training camp, building at least some speculation regarding the future of the former Chicago first-rounder who will be an unrestricted free agent next summer. Meanwhile, the Wild are sending another youth-heavy roster to Chicago for the game.
With the Wild sending more of an AHL roster to Chicago than an NHL one, the Blackhawks are expected to carry most of the play on their home ice.
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