Blackhawks Aim to Break Losing Streak Against Utah on Tuesday Night

CHICAGO, Ill. — The Chicago Blackhawks will face off against the Utah Hockey Club on Tuesday night at 9 p.m. ET in the second matchup of four scheduled games between the two teams this season. The game marks a crucial point as the Blackhawks seek to end their three-game losing streak.

Having recently lost 5-2 to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday at the United Center, Chicago (17-33-7) looks to regroup. Key players such as Connor Bedard, who leads the team with 49 points, and Teuvo Teräväinen, who recently hit the milestone of 500 career NHL points, are expected to take the ice against Utah (25-24-9), who comes off a tight 2-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks.

In their last encounter on October 8, 2024, the Blackhawks suffered a 5-2 defeat at the Delta Center in Utah, where Teräväinen contributed two assists. The recent loss to the Maple Leafs saw Teräväinen score while Bedard recorded his 500th career point.

“It’s been tough lately, but we know we have the talent to turn it around,” Teräväinen said. “We just need to stick to our game plan and play solid defensively, especially against teams like Utah.”

The Blackhawks are anticipated to start goalie Petr Mrazek, who has faced challenges this season, holding a 10-19-2 record with a 3.33 goals-against average (GAA) and an .894 save percentage. In previous encounters with Utah, Mrazek holds an unfavorable 0-1 record with a 4.09 GAA.

While Chicago has struggled defensively, allowing an average of 3.8 goals per game, their power play remains a bright spot, converting at a rate of 25.2%, ranking sixth in the NHL. Against the Maple Leafs, the Blackhawks excelled in the power play, claiming one goal and building on a strong power play performance from their recent games.

On the other hand, Utah has been known for their strong performances led by forward Clayton Keller, who has accumulated 63 points this season. Goalie Karel Vejmelka is expected to start for Utah, arriving with a record of 14-15-4 and a 2.52 GAA and hopes to lead his team to victory against the struggling Blackhawks.

“We’re looking to build on our last win,” Keller said. “Chicago has some talented players, but we’re focused on our game and playing hard.”

The Blackhawks have shown moments of brilliance but have struggled to maintain consistency. Player Frank Nazar has been contributing significantly, tallying six assists in the last 12 games, tying him for first among NHL rookie skaters.

As both teams take to the ice, fans will be watching closely to see if the Blackhawks can find their footing against an equal opponent. The match will be broadcast on CHSN and WGN-720-AM, with coverage starting at 8:00 p.m. local time.