Blackhawks Lifeless Late, Lose 4-1 To Canadiens

After losing 4-1 to the Montreal Canadiens (5-3-2) at the United Center on Friday, the Chicago Blackhawks (3-7-0) have now dropped seven of their first ten games in the 2026-27 regular season.

Captain Connor Bedard gave the Blackhawks an early lead less than five minutes into the first period, but that was all the offense the team generated against Montreal’s defense and goaltender Jacob Fowler, who stopped 20 of 21 shots to earn the win in net.

The Canadiens scored four unanswered goals to rally from an early 1-0 deficit, with Jake Evans (2), Kaiden Guhle, and Mike Matheson (EN) finding the back of the net for the visitors. Evans (three points) and Guhle (two points) each had multi-point outings.

Coming off a five-day break, the Blackhawks opened Friday’s game with perhaps their best 15-minute stretch of the season, stringing together crisp exit passes out of the defensive zone and generating quality chances consistently. The Hawks recorded nine of the game’s first 13 shots on goal and swarmed the Canadiens early.

But only one of the eight first-period scoring chances they generated found the back of Montreal’s net, and looking back, the Blackhawks will be kicking themselves for failing to add to the lead. Evans’ first tally with 2:31 left in the period leveled the score before the intermission and crushed Chicago’s momentum.

The most crucial turning point, however, came in the first half of the second period, when the Blackhawks failed to convert on two power-play opportunities, then allowed the Canadiens to grab their first lead while shorthanded. That type of swing will deflate even the best NHL teams, let alone a Hawks squad with only one goal in their last 120 minutes of play.

Down by two with 20 minutes remaining, the Blackhawks didn’t offer much of a comeback effort in the third period, getting outshot 8-4 and outchanced 7-4 by the Canadiens. Despite being on the verge of their seventh loss in ten games and being the much fresher and more rested team, there wasn’t much of any desperation shown in the face of adversity.

Over the final 45 minutes, the Blackhawks recorded only 26 shot attempts and a lousy 12 shots on goal. Against a Canadiens defense that ranked 29th in the NHL in goals against entering Friday, while also without reigning Selke Trophy winner and team captain Nick Suzuki, it was discouraging to watch the Blackhawks go down without much of a fight.

Here are the highlights from the Blackhawks’ 4-1 defeat to the Canadiens, marking their fourth loss in the last six games.

First Period

Bedard opened the scoring with his second goal of the season, giving the Blackhawks a 1-0 lead at 4:23. The captain strode into the offensive zone and launched a wrist shot over Fowler’s glove. With the primary assist, Patrick Kane tied Anton Frondell for the team lead with six points.

Jordan Greenway and the fourth line were effective early in Friday’s game. Individually, Greenway had two scoring chances in the first period, and one almost found the back of the net. The feisty winger beat Fowler cleanly with a wrist shot from the right circle, but the puck glanced off the post and out. Still 1-0.

Evans evened the score for Montreal at 17:29, beating Knight with a quick shot from in tight for his first goal of the season. Former Blackhawks first-round pick Kirby Dach tallied the primary assist, because of course. 1-1.

The two teams were tied 1-1 on the scoreboard and 9-9 in shots on goal through 20 minutes. The Blackhawks held a slight 8-6 advantage in scoring chances.

Second Period

The Blackhawks failed to convert on two power-play chances in the opening eight minutes of the second period, and to make matters worse, they surrendered a short-handed goal.

Evans wristed a shot over Knight’s blocker on a 2-on-1 rush at 7:45, giving the Canadiens their first lead. 2-1. It was Evans’ second goal of the game and the season.

With under two minutes left in the period, the Blackhawks allowed a back-breaking goal, as Guhle’s shot from the left point found its way through traffic and past Knight at 18:26. 3-1.

Through 40 minutes, the Canadiens led 3-1 and were ahead 20-17 in shots on goal. Scoring chances were almost evenly split, with Montreal leading 21-19.

Third Period

With Knight on the bench for the extra attacker, Matheson sealed the victory for Montreal with an empty-net goal from the defensive zone at 17:22. It was Matheson’s first goal of the season. 4-1, Canadiens.

The final horn sounded at the United Center, sending the Blackhawks to their second straight loss. They’ll return to action next against the Florida Panthers on Sunday afternoon.

For more Blackhawks news, visit Chicago Hockey Now and like our Facebook Page.

Follow us on X:

@chihockeynow, @JackBushman2

Related Headlines

• Blackhawks Shut Down By Stars, Win Streak Snapped in 4-0 Loss
• Levshunov Scores OT Winner, Blackhawks Beat Jets 4-3
• Kantserov & Teravainen Score Twice, Blackhawks Top Penguins in Bedard’s Return

Read more at Chicago Hockey Now