UPDATE: The Chicago Blackhawks faced a crushing 7-3 defeat against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the United Center on December 28, 2025. Just 24 hours after a hard-fought 4-3 shootout victory over the Dallas Stars, the Blackhawks struggled to carry their momentum into this back-to-back matchup, falling behind early.
The Penguins wasted no time, scoring four goals in the first period alone, with Anthony Mantha (1:38), Justin Brazeau (8:20), and Bryan Rust (7:19, 12:03) dominating the ice. Fans in attendance were left disappointed, opting to check on the Chicago Bears’ “Sunday Night Football” game instead. Blackhawks coach Jeff Blashill lamented, “Their chances went in in the first and ours didn’t,” emphasizing the uphill battle his team faced.
This loss marks the Blackhawks’ fourth consecutive defeat in the second game of a back-to-back this season, bringing their record to 0-4-0 in such scenarios. They have been outscored a staggering 27-7 during these games against teams like the Buffalo Sabres, Anaheim Ducks, Detroit Red Wings, and now the Penguins.
Returning to the lineup after a wrist injury, Blackhawks captain Nick Foligno expressed frustration, stating, “We’re just a team that needs to find ways to get better.” Foligno, who scored the Blackhawks’ first goal of the night at 10:50 of the second period, acknowledged the challenges of back-to-back games.
The Blackhawks found a glimmer of hope when defenseman Wyatt Kaiser scored, cutting the Penguins’ lead to 6-2 in a chaotic second period. However, Tyler Bertuzzi’s late goal with 0.8 seconds remaining was too little, too late, leaving the team with more questions than answers.
Goaltending woes plagued the Blackhawks as starting goalie Spencer Knight was pulled early but returned in the third period, while Arvid Söderblom allowed three goals. “We’re trying to figure it out,” Kaiser said, reflecting on the team’s struggles with fatigue and performance.
Despite the bleak outcome, Blashill remains optimistic about the team’s potential. “We’re going through a hard stretch right now, but I really like this group,” he said, calling for resilience and teamwork moving forward.
As the Blackhawks prepare for their next challenge, the urgency to address their back-to-back performance issues is clear. Fans and players alike are left wondering how they can turn this ship around as they look to regain their footing in the league.
Stay tuned for updates as the Blackhawks seek to bounce back from this latest setback.