WINNIPEG, Manitoba — The Blackhawks were probably due for a stinker, and in their 11th game, they threw up one.
Almost every defenseman committed at least one costly error Thursday in a 6-3 loss to the Jets, marking an ominous start to the Hawks’ six-game road trip.
The experienced Jets were consistently able to penetrate the inexperienced Hawks’ defensive structure with quick and sharp puck movement, and the Hawks seemed consistently one step behind on their reads — whether it was Louis Crevier getting beat in the neutral zone (on the Jets’ second goal) or Sam Rinzel getting beat just inside the defensive blue line (on the Jets’ third goal).
“It was kind of a weird game,” coach Jeff Blashill said. “There were moments we played really well, and then we made some big mistakes. And those big mistakes ended up in our net.”
The game got away from the Hawks in the second period, which has been their Achilles’ heel this season. They’ve allowed seven goals in first periods, 14 in second periods and nine in third periods.
An amazing between-the-legs shot by Andre Burakovsky — whose line with Connor Bedard and Ryan Greene continued to look good — briefly pulled them back within two goals late, but no comeback transpired.
“[It’s about] momentum control on the road, knowing that some of your big mistakes — that honestly we’ve made a little bit at home — come to bite you more on the road,” Connor Murphy said. “Teams [at home] can feel their offense a little better and can capitalize.”
Their third and fifth goals came on shots that Knight probably would’ve liked to have back. Jonathan Toews earned an assist — his first-ever point against the Hawks — on the fifth one.
Jeff Blashill: “Within our rules, in the neutral zone, we shouldn’t be running north; we should be lateral gapping. Part of what a defenseman has to do is see with numbers. Certainly on the second goal, [Crevier] didn’t do that.” https://t.co/87VoPNfmFC
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) October 31, 2025
Grizzled man
Veteran defenseman Matt Grzelcyk has so far looked like a smart depth signing.
On one hand, Blashill has sheltered Grzelcyk, who has started only 17.8% of his shifts in the defensive zone — the second-lowest rate among Hawks defensemen, above only even-more-sheltered Artyom Levshunov. Grzelcyk’s total ice time per game is also down about five minutes from last season with the Penguins.
On the other hand, Grzelcyk has delivered the solid results expected from a sheltered player. The Hawks have outscored opponents 13-5 and generated a 57.3% expected-goals ratio during his five-on-five ice time. He was largely innocent in Thursday’s mess, too.
“The guys have been super welcoming for me, coming into camp [at the] last second,” Grzelcyk said. “We’re a pretty tight-knit team, so it has been a blast so far.”
Jets’ view
From Toews’ perspective, the 2025-26 Hawks are basically an unfamiliar team wearing familiar jerseys. He’s still interested in their progress, though.
“Ultimately, the fans in Chicago are incredible,” Toews said. “It’s nice to see that they have something to cheer for and some great young talent that’s really getting the United Center rocking again.”
Jets coach Scott Arniel also spoke Thursday morning about his view from afar of the Hawks’ improvement, although his praise rang somewhat hollow after the game that followed.
“[With the] coaching change, they’ve come in and put a lot of emphasis on defending,” Arniel said. “They’re buying in. You can really see it. Don’t underestimate this team. This isn’t the team that we’ve seen the last couple years.”