In a matchup that felt more like a grudge match than mere preseason fodder, the Chicago Blackhawks fell to the Minnesota Wild 4-3 on Friday night at the United Center. The game, wrapping up the Blackhawks' exhibition schedule, showcased flashes of potential amid some glaring defensive lapses. Chicago, now 2-2-1 in preseason play, couldn't quite hold off Minnesota's opportunistic attack, which improved to 2-2-0.
The Blackhawks jumped out to an early lead, with Connor Bedard netting his second goal of the preseason just 4:12 into the first period on a slick wrist shot from the slot. It was the kind of moment that reminded fans why the young star is the face of the franchise's rebuild. However, Minnesota responded swiftly, tying it up less than five minutes later through Joel Eriksson Ek, who capitalized on a turnover deep in Chicago territory. Indeed, turnovers proved costly for the home side all evening.
By the second period, the pace quickened, and so did the penalties. Chicago's power play, ranked middling in the league last year, converted once on a Philipp Kurashev tally, but the Wild's penalty kill held firm otherwise. Minnesota then surged ahead with two quick goals in the third, including a shorthanded beauty from Marcus Foligno that left Blackhawks netminder Spencer Knight grasping at air. Knight, who played the full game, stopped 28 of 32 shots but couldn't salvage the outcome.
Moreover, the Blackhawks mounted a late rally, pulling within one on a Jason Dickinson deflection with under three minutes left. But time ran out, sealing another frustrating close loss. Coach Jeff Blashill, in his postgame remarks, pointed to the positives—Bedard's chemistry with linemates, the physicality up front—but admitted the defensive zone needs tightening before the regular season opener in just over a week.
These preseason tilts against Central Division rivals like the Wild always carry extra weight, hinting at battles to come. As Chicago heads into the break, one wonders if these near-misses will fuel a stronger start or expose deeper cracks in the foundation.