The Chicago Blackhawks and Montreal Canadiens faced off in an NHL regular-season matchup at the United Center in Chicago. The contest featured goals from Kaiden Guhle and Jake Evans for Montreal, alongside a response from Connor Bedard for Chicago, as goaltenders Spencer Knight and Jacob Fowler anchored their respective creases through two periods.
What happened during the opening two periods at United Center?
The game opened at 02:00 local time at the United Center in Chicago, featuring an active pace through the first two frames. Montreal struck first when Jake Evans found the back of the net. Chicago answered when Connor Bedard took a shot that was blocked by Montreal goaltender Jacob Fowler.
Jake Evans tallied his second goal of the night at 27:51, assisted by Kaiden Guhle. Guhle then extended the visitors’ lead further by scoring at 38:26, beating Chicago netminder Spencer Knight just before the second intermission closed at the 40:00 mark. Both sides traded power-play opportunities and near-misses, including a shot off the goalpost by Montreal’s Cole Caufield and a high-sticking minor called on Chris Kreider.
How did Juraj Slafkovský perform for the Canadiens?
Juraj Slafkovský skated on Montreal’s top forward line alongside center O. Kapanen and winger Cole Caufield. The Slovak forward tested Chicago goaltender Spencer Knight from a sharp angle at the 35:52 mark of the second period, though his close-range wrist shot was knocked out of play by the alert netminder.
Earlier in the opening frame, Slafkovský tested Knight with a drive from the right side at 06:06, which the Chicago goaltender smothered between his pads. Slafkovský also picked up a two-minute minor for elbowing at 12:10 of the first period. Independent coverage from HokejSpravy.sk noted that Slafkovský entered the game following a minor injury scare in practice earlier in the week, where he took a puck to the face, though he remained active in Montreal’s lineup.
How do the two teams compare in recent play and roster availability?
HokejSpravy.sk noted that Montreal arrived in Chicago missing several key contributors, most notably captain Nick Suzuki, who remains sidelined for multiple weeks with an injury. The Canadiens’ recent stretch of games has been tightly contested, featuring five consecutive outings decided by a single goal.
Chicago, meanwhile, continues its multi-year roster rebuild under head coach Luke Richardson, anchored offensively by young star Connor Bedard and veteran forward Patrick Kane. While Chicago has struggled to generate consistent offensive output—averaging 2.33 goals per game overall and three goals on home ice—Montreal’s defensive structure on the road has yielded an average of four goals against per contest away from the Bell Centre, according to league statistical tracking.
What penalties and officiating controversies marked the matchup?
Special teams played a prominent role as both coaching staffs adjusted lines through multiple man-advantage situations. Chicago’s Patrick Kane drew a two-minute penalty, while teammate Connor Bedard served a minor for elbowing in the first. Montreal incurred infractions from Alex Newhook, Zachary Bolduc, Chris Kreider, and Juraj Slafkovský.
Officiating also drew visible frustration from the ice. At 09:40 of the first period, referees whistled an icing or offside call that visibly angered Patrick Kane. Replays broadcast during the live feed indicated the puck had not fully crossed the center line, prompting animated complaints from the veteran forward toward the linesmen before play resumed.
Chicago prepares for home games as Montreal continues road trip
The contest concludes a notable stretch on the 2026–27 NHL regular-season calendar for both franchises. Chicago returns to practice ahead of its upcoming slate of Western Conference fixtures, while the Montreal Canadiens continue their ongoing road trip before returning to Quebec for their next scheduled fixture at the Bell Centre.
Worth a look
