Blackhawks Prepare to Face Ducks After Recent Loss to Golden Knights

CHICAGO, IL — The Chicago Blackhawks will host the Anaheim Ducks for their second matchup of the season on Saturday night at 9:00 p.m. The Blackhawks are coming off a tough 7-5 defeat to the Vegas Golden Knights, while the Ducks look to improve after falling 4-2 to Chicago in their last encounter on November 3, 2024.

In that earlier game, the Blackhawks showcased strong offensive performance, with Connor Bedard recording three assists and a stellar .950 save percentage from their goaltender, who saved 38 out of 40 shots. Bedard has excelled in matchups against Anaheim, accumulating 11 points, including ten assists, in just five career games against the Ducks.

During their most recent game against the Golden Knights on Thursday, Chicago’s players continued their upward trend in individual performances. Notable contributions came from Connor Murphy, who achieved a career-high three assists, while Frank Nazar added two assists and led the team with eight faceoff wins.

Nazar’s stats since being recalled on December 14 show he ranks among the top NHL rookies with ten assists and fourteen points, demonstrating his impact on the ice in crucial moments. Meanwhile, teammate Teuvo Teravainen has been productive as well, registering points in three consecutive games for a total of nine points over the last seven.

“We need to focus on what we can control,” Teravainen said after the Golden Knights game. “Learning from tough losses is part of the process.”

Despite their recent struggles, the organization points to their higher power play efficiency, ranking sixth in the league at 25.6%. The Blackhawks have successfully converted on multiple power plays recently, adding depth to their game strategy going into Saturday’s meeting with Anaheim.

In their latest contest against Vegas, three other skaters contributed goals, illustrating the team’s potential to score against the Ducks. They will need to leverage this offensive capability against Anaheim, a team they have previously found success against.

As the Blackhawks prepare for this upcoming game, they remain hopeful to bounce back and move forward in the standings, seeking to capitalize on their strengths and learn from past performances.