Ryan Donato scored the winner in a 2-1 victory in overtime vs. the Anaheim Ducks. The Chicago Blackhawks’ point streak now rests at four straight games.

Ryan Donato scored the winner in a 2-1 victory in overtime vs. the Anaheim Ducks. The Chicago Blackhawks’ point streak now rests at four straight games.

First Period:

The game started slowly for both teams. Outside of the occasional shot, the two teams were mostly stalemated to begin the match. Frank Vatrano was able to break open the game with a huge chance on Spencer Knight on the Power Play, with a few follow-up chances ensuing.  But the castle was guarded by Knight, who turned the flurry of chances away. The teams went into the intermission deadlocked without much open space to work with. 

Second Period: 

The second period started with Anaheim in firm possession of the game’s pace. Former Ranger Chris Kreider was robbed by the skate blade of Spencer Knight. Minutes later, Leo Carlsson cut through the Blackhawks’ defense like butter but rang his shot off the post behind Spencer. Then things got pretty hectic

If there is one facet of the game the Chicago Blackhawks have struggled in, it is discipline. Good news for Jeff Blashill’s squad is that the Anaheim Ducks also suffer from this issue. The chaos began when Andre Burakovsky tripped Leo Carlsson to send Anaheim on the power play. After 90 seconds had transpired, the Anaheim Ducks would give us 4v4 hockey with a “Too Many Men” stopping play. However, instead of taking advantage of this chance, Ryan Donato tripped poor Leo Carlsson less than 5 seconds after acquiring the man advantage. Just when you think it doesn’t get any weirder. Markus Granlund would trip Connor Murphy during the Donato penalty to make it a penalty kill for the Ducks. Needless to say, this period had a lot of open ice but not a ton of chances or momentum for either team. Once again, Chicago and Anaheim could not separate themselves on the scoreboard. 

Story continues below.

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Third Period:

The third frame of this stalemate was all ‘Hawks to start. The best chance of the shift cycle came when Ryan Donato just missed a redirect tap-in on Lukas Dostal. After much pressing, Chicago’s superstar, Frank Nazar, would finally make his mark. After dropping to the ice, Nazar found Donato, who cut up the blue line. On the return feed, Nazar would look to Wyatt Kaise, who was streaking down the ice wide open. Kaiser’s shot rang off the crossbar but fell right to Frankie, who made no mistake of netting his third of the year. Chicago would hunker down after the following shift, but Wyatt Kaiser made a terrible mistake, which led to a power play with just 1:45 remaining in the game. And with only 35 ticks to go, Mason McTavish sent a shot over Spencer Knight, ending the shutout bid. The Blachawks once again headed into an extra frame of hockey.

Overtime:

In overtime, Chicago won the draw, and after two great chances, unfortunately the Blackhawks were caught in a bad situation with Andre Burakovsky sending the puck off to a changing player. Owen Zelleweger intercepted and walked right in on the net. That’s when Spencer Knight stood taller than ever, making a clutch save on Zelleweger. Donato and Connor Bedard headed up the ice later in the period, and after Bedsy was denied, he would grab his own rebound, circle behind the net, and find the deliveryman wide open in front. Blackhawks win 2-1. 

Cowboys 3 Stars of the Game

Spencer Knight, W, .974SV%, 38 Saves

Ryan Donato, W, GWG, 1A 

Frank Nazar, W, 1G.   

The Cowboy Round-Up and What’s On Tap 

These Blackhawks, man. Unlike last year, when the Blackhawks were 2-3-1 with only 15GF and a -3 goal differential at this time, these Blackhawks have a new swagger. At 3-2-2, Chicago has a positive goal differential (+4) and has not lost a game by more than 1 goal. The new wave of Chicago Blackhawks is here and making its presence known. Both Frank Nazar and Connor Bedard recorded points tonight, and Wyatt Kaiser is +6, which is in the top 20 in the league. The MVP of this young squad is Spencer Knight, however, who has truly looked elite. Tonight’s performance puts him in the top ten in Save% (.937, 6th), Goals Against Average (1.96, 8th), and total saves (148, 2nd). The only thing I can say is what I’ve said since last season. The 2025-26 season was what Kyle Davidson saw in the 2024-25 team. All that has occurred is a one-year bump in the road. 

On Tap for the Chicago Blackhawks is a blast to the past. The Blackhawks will take on the Tampa Bay Lightning in Tampa on Wednesday, October 23, at 5:45 p.m. Central Time.