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RECAP: Blackhawks cool off Canadiens with 4–2 win in Dach’s debut

  
RECAP: Blackhawks cool off Canadiens with 4–2 win in Dach's debut
Chicago Blackhawks forward Colton Dach made his NHL debut against the Montreal Canadiens and his older brother, Kirby, on Friday night at the United Center. The Blackhawks defeated the Canadiens, 4–2, to end their five-game losing streak. (Photo courtesy of the Chicago Blackhawks)

The Chicago Blackhawks looked to rid themselves of the sour taste in their mouths following a dismal performance in the Winter Classic at Wrigley Field against the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday. The Hawks dropped a 6–2 decision on New Year’s Eve against their Central Division rivals in a game where they were down 2–0 early and the Blues rolled from there. On Friday night, the Blackhawks welcomed the red-hot Montreal Canadiens to the United Center. The Canadiens entered the game having won three straight and six of seven heading into their first game of 2025. The Hawks, who entered the game on a five-game losing streak, started Arvid Soderblom in net against the Habs’ Sam Montembeault. The game also marked the NHL debut for Blackhawks prospect Colton Dach, who ironically would face his older brother and former Hawk, Kirby Dach.

First period

The Blackhawks took advantage of an early two-man advantage when Tyler Bertuzzi scored his 13th of the season to give Chicago a 1–0 lead. The Hawks controlled the puck and Teuvo Teravainen found Bertuzzi on the door step for the easy tap-in at 3:21. Connor Bedard picked up the second assist to extend his point streak to six games.

With 1:36 left, Cole Caufield tied it at 1–1 with his 20th of the season. After getting denied by Soderblom, Nick Suzuki retrieved the puck in the slot and found Caufield alone behind the net. Caufield skated alone in front and snapped on top shelf to tie the game after 20 minutes.

Second period

The Blackhawks took a 2–1 lead on a Nick Foligno tip-in for his ninth of the season. Wyatt Kaiser saved the puck at the blue line from exiting the zone and he fired a shot that Foligno deflected in at 7:05.

The Hawks took the one-goal lead into the locker room after 40 minutes.

Third period

The Hawks took a 3–1 lead when the “Big Rig,” Pat Maroon, scored his second of the season at 3:01. Craig Smith forced a turnover and Ryan Donato rushed down the ice and made a tape-to-tape backhand pass to Maroon, who finished to give Chicago a two-goal lead.

Emil Heineman cut the Canadiens’ deficit to 3–2 with his 10th of the season at the 9:45 mark. With the Habs on the power play, Heineman showed impressive hand-eye coordination when he swatted a puck out of mid-air into the net on a shot that missed the net but caromed off the boards and back out in front.

The Hawks regained the two-goal lead with 4:09 left when Alex Vlasic skated into the slot and his shot hit the post. After initially thinking it was in, Foligno was on the doorstep and poked in the rebound for his second of the game and 10th of the season to give Chicago a late 4–2 lead and that would be the final.

Analysis

The Blackhawks ended their five-game skid with a strong effort led by many of the veterans, however, Vlasic was without question the best player on the ice. He was strong at both ends of the ice, including getting an assist on the Hawks’ final goal and also saving the potential tying goal earlier in the third period. Colton Dach certainly looked like he belonged in his debut. He was given some power play time, where he parked himself in front of the net and showed some crafty hands as he nearly finished a few scoring chances.

The Blackhawks return to the ice on Sunday afternoon with a matinee against the New York Rangers. Puck drop is at 2 p.m. CST on ABC and ESPN+ with the radio call on 720 AM WGN.

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