Jeff Blashill said before his team’s season finale versus the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday night that he wanted to show the United Center crowd how good the Chicago Blackhawks could be. After three uncompetitive losses, the chances of that promise holding true were bleak.
An ugly first period added to the initial grimness. During the first intermission, the coach must have said something to pump the Hawks up the rest of the way.
Blashill wouldn’t reveal his words of wisdom, though.
“That’s for us, (but) nothing big-time, out of the ordinary,” he said. “They want to win, they want to do the right things (and) we gained momentum as the game went along.”
Photos: Chicago Blackhawks 5, San Jose Sharks 2
It took more than 10 periods to show it, but the Hawks put together a cohesive effort, scoring five unanswered goals to end their 2025-26 season with a 5-2 win, finishing 29-39-14.
“It makes you feel way better, it makes you enjoy tonight,” Blashill said. “I thought our fans were awesome, it was a fun atmosphere to be a part of.”
Yes, the Hawks missed the playoffs for a sixth consecutive season and eighth in nine. But their 72 points are an 11-point improvement from 2024-25 and 20 points better than 2023-24.
“It’s been a tough little stretch for us,” center Connor Bedard said after the Hawks won for just the third time in 14 games. “Good to have a good game like that going to summer feeling better.”
Sam Rinzel cut into the Sharks’ lead by threading the needle to make it 2-1 with 30 seconds left in the second period. Then the Hawks offense erupted.
Louis Crevier scored two goals in the third period, while Ryan Greene and Nick Lardis added to the fun. Crevier finished the season with seven goals, the most by a Hawks defenseman.
Blackhawks defenseman Louis Crevier, second from left, celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal in the third period against the Sharks on April 15, 2026, at the United Center. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
“I’m proud of myself, especially after last game where it was probably one of my worst games of the season,” Crevier said. “It was a little more important to finish strong. You want to leave a good impression.”
Perhaps it was because Wednesday was the last chance to do it, but the Hawks let the puck fly more than usual in the second half of the game. They outshot the Sharks 24-17 overall.
“It was in everybody’s mind, we’re young but we’re professional (so) we came out hard,” Crevier said. “That’s what happens when we play our good hockey — we’re a good team. We’ve just got to be consistent.”
Added center Ryan Greene: “It was good we were able to hold the lead and get up by three there, put them away a little bit. Good effort from us.”
Bedard notched two assists, ending his year with career highs in goals (30), assists (45) and points (75). He missed a dozen games with a right shoulder injury and another from illness, so he finished the season with a 1.09 points-per-game average.
“There’s room for me to grow, but that being said, I haven’t scored in 10 and struggled the last bit, so maybe you’re a little more negative in the moment,” Bedard, 20, said. “I think there were positives for myself and for my team, but you always want to get better.”
With Macklin Celebrini (112 points this season) already reaching stardom with the Sharks (38-35-8), there’s been extra eyes on Hawks-Sharks games in hopes that it turns into a new rivalry. Celebrini also eased past No. 98 on the opening faceoff.
Bedard down played the notion — for now.
“Every game is worth two points, and if in a couple of years we’re playing them in the playoffs, the rivalry builds,” Bedard said. “I don’t think at this moment there’s one team we want to beat extra. We want to win every game just as bad.”
In contrast, his teammate on the blueline is starting to see the vision.
“If we try to see the future, we’re both going to have some really good teams,” Crevier said. “We both have one superstar on our team. It’s going to be a good battle for numbers of years.”
The United Center faithful applauded as the final horn sounded for the last time this season.
“We’re very lucky to play here and have that support through the ups and downs,” Bedard said. “It’s been a few years of not making the playoffs. Our fans are still behind us for all 41 home games, and that’s pretty special.
“You see some teams go through similar things and they don’t have any people in the crowd. We’re extremely lucky and it’s a special place for sure.”