Chicago Blackhawks earn first win of the season against Utah Mammoth

It took four games, but the Chicago Blackhawks finally broke through and earned their first win of the 2025–26 NHL season with a 3-1 victory over the Utah Mammoth. It wasn’t the most exciting game, but it was exactly what the team needed — a solid, structured effort that finally turned into two points. After three straight one-goal losses, head coach Jeff Blashill got his first win behind the bench, and the players’ persistence paid off.

Chicago Blackhawks depth steps up in low-scoring win

The Chicago Blackhawks came out determined to play a more disciplined and defensively sound game, and it showed. The first period was slow, with both teams struggling to generate much offense, Chicago recorded just six shots on goal while Utah managed five.

The pace didn’t pick up much in the second period, but the Blackhawks made their chances count. Ilya Mikheyev broke the scoreless tie halfway through the period, netting his first goal of the season. He was set up beautifully by Jason Dickinson, who was returning from injury, and Ryan Donato, who had been working hard but hadn’t been rewarded yet.

All three players picked up their first points of the season on the play, making it a much-needed confidence boost for Chicago’s third line. Defenseman Artyom Levshunov, who rejoined the lineup after being a healthy scratch, also made a key play in the buildup to the goal, taking a hit to move the puck up ice. It was a small moment, but it showed the 19-year-old’s growing maturity.

Mikheyev later added an empty-net goal to seal the win, giving him two tallies on the night. For a team that’s been struggling to finish, getting production from the middle of the lineup was exactly what the Blackhawks needed.

“We’ve been in every game so far this season,” said head coach Jeff Blashill postgame. “Tonight, we just found a way to close it out. That’s the kind of effort we can build on.”

Chicago Blackhawks celebrate milestones for Burakovsky and Knight

Veteran forward Andre Burakovsky made his 700th NHL appearance one to remember by scoring the game-winning goal. Burakovsky, who has been playing alongside Connor Bedard since training camp, capitalized on a rebound in front of the net during a second-period power play.

He was assisted by Nick Foligno and Colton Dach, both earning their second points of the season. Interestingly, this goal came from the Blackhawks’ second power-play unit, which has looked sharper and more cohesive than the top unit early in the season.

For Burakovsky, it’s been a strong start in his new home. After successful stints with the Washington Capitals, Colorado Avalanche, and Seattle Kraken, he’s quickly becoming a steady veteran presence in Chicago. Through four games, he already has two goals and three points, and his leadership is proving valuable for the younger players.

In goal, Spencer Knight was stellar once again. The 23-year-old netminder stopped 27 of 28 shots to secure the win — his 50th career NHL victory. Knight downplayed the milestone after the game, choosing instead to praise his teammates for their defensive play.

“It feels good, but it’s about the team effort,” Knight said. “The guys did a great job keeping things predictable in front of me. Hopefully, there are many more wins ahead.”

Knight has been one of the Chicago Blackhawks’ most consistent performers to start the season, posting a .920 save percentage and a 2.35 goals-against average through his first three starts. His calm demeanor and strong positioning have given the team a chance to win every night.

Chicago Blackhawks look to build momentum

The Chicago Blackhawks are finally on the board with their first win of the season, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. After three close losses, this victory should boost confidence across the locker room. The players are beginning to buy into Blashill’s structure and focus on “winning habits,” something he’s emphasized since taking over behind the bench.

Next up, the Blackhawks travel to St. Louis for a rivalry matchup against the Blues on Wednesday (Oct. 14). After that, they return home for games against the Vancouver Canucks and Anaheim Ducks over the weekend.

If they can carry this momentum forward and continue to get balanced scoring and strong goaltending, this could be the start of a much-needed upward trend for Chicago.

It wasn’t flashy, but it was the kind of win that builds belief, and for a young team still learning how to close games, that might be worth more than anything on the scoreboard.

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Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/chicago-blackhawks-earn-first-win-of-the-season-against-utah-mammoth