Game Time: Tuesday, December 23, 2025
Location: United Center, Chicago
TV: ESPN+, NBCS Chicago
Alright Hawks fans, let’s talk about where we’re at. It’s December 23rd, we’re sitting at 13-16-6, and the Philadelphia Flyers are coming to town with an 18-10-7 record looking to kick sand in our face during the holiday season.
This is not where anyone thought we’d be. But here we are.
The Reality Check Nobody Wants
Look, I’m not going to pretend this season has been anything other than frustrating. We’re below .500, we can’t seem to string together more than two wins in a row, and we just lost 6-4 to Ottawa—a game where we actually scored four goals and still got beat.
Our record at home is 7-6-3. That’s… okay? It’s not good, but it’s better than being terrible, which I guess counts as a win in a rebuilding year. The United Center crowd deserves better, but at least we’re competitive at home.
Meanwhile, the Flyers are sitting pretty at 18-10-7 and looking like an actual playoff team. Travis Konecny has 30 points and is playing like a man possessed. Their goaltending has been solid. They’re winning the games they’re supposed to win.
In other words, they’re everything we’re not right now.
Connor Bedard: The Only Reason We’re Still Watching
Let’s be honest—Connor Bedard is the reason 90% of us are still tuning in. The kid is special. When he’s on the ice, anything can happen. He sees the game differently than everyone else out there, and at 19 years old, he’s already our best player by a mile.
If Bedard gets hot tonight, we’ve got a chance. If he doesn’t? Well, let’s just say I’ll be checking my phone a lot during the third period.
The problem is that one teenager—no matter how talented—can’t carry an entire NHL team. We need the supporting cast to actually show up, which has been… inconsistent, to put it kindly.
The Flyers: Why They’re Going to Make This Difficult
Philadelphia is exactly the kind of team that gives us problems. They’re physical, they forecheck hard, they don’t give you anything easy, and they’ve got enough skill to make you pay if you turn the puck over.
Travis Konecny Is Going to Be a Problem
Konecny leads the Flyers with 30 points and has been their most dangerous player all season. He’s fast, he’s smart, and he finishes. Our defense needs to know where he is at all times, which—given our defensive struggles this year—feels like a big ask.
Their Goaltending Is Actually Good
Dan Vladar has been quietly excellent for Philly, posting a 2.41 GAA and .910 save percentage. That’s not elite, but it’s solid enough that we’re going to need to actually work for our goals instead of hoping for easy ones.
The Flyers aren’t going to beat themselves, which means we’re going to have to earn every inch of ice.
Spencer Knight: Our Backstop Has Been Decent
Here’s some actual good news—Spencer Knight has been pretty solid in net for us. His 2.57 GAA and .914 save percentage aren’t going to win him any Vezina votes, but they’re respectable numbers for a goalie on a below-.500 team.
Knight is going to need to be sharp tonight because Philly is going to come at him in waves. If he can keep us in it early and give our offense a chance to find its rhythm, we’ve got a shot.
What Needs to Happen for the Blackhawks to Win
1. Special Teams Can’t Be a Disaster
Our penalty kill has been shaky all season, and the Flyers have enough firepower to make us pay. If we’re spending half the game killing penalties, we’re cooked. Stay disciplined, don’t take stupid penalties, and for the love of all that is holy, clear the puck when you get the chance.
2. Win the Transition Game
The Flyers want to slow this down and grind. We need speed. Quick transitions, odd-man rushes, creating chaos in their zone—that’s how we score goals. If we let them dictate pace and turn this into a defensive battle, we’re going to lose.
3. Ilya Mikheyev Needs to Build on That Two-Goal Game
Mikheyev scored twice against Ottawa despite the loss. That’s the kind of secondary scoring we desperately need. If he and the other forwards can contribute alongside Bedard, we become much harder to defend.
4. Don’t Let Them Score First
This feels obvious, but we’re 2-8 in games where we give up the first goal. If Philly scores early and our guys start pressing, it’s going to be a long night. Get the crowd into it, grab an early lead, and make them chase for once.
The Flyers’ Weaknesses (Yes, They Have Some)
Despite their winning record, Philly isn’t invincible:
2-4-4 in one-goal games: They struggle in tight, clutch situations
Road record is just okay: 7-5-3 away from home means they’re beatable on the road
Can be beaten with speed: If we catch them in transition, they can be vulnerable
If we can keep this close and make it a one-goal game late, they’ve shown they don’t handle that pressure well.
My Prediction (With Realistic Expectations)
Here’s the thing—on paper, the Flyers should win this game. They’re better than us right now, they’re healthier, and they’re playing with confidence. But we’re at home, we’ve got Bedard, and hockey is weird.
I think this is going to be a tight, frustrating game where we hang around but can’t quite get over the hump.
Flyers 3, Blackhawks 2
Yeah, I’m predicting we lose. But I’m predicting we lose close, which in this season counts as a moral victory. If Bedard goes off and we steal this one, I’ll be thrilled. But I’m not holding my breath.
Why This Game Matters (Even in a Lost Season)
For the Flyers, this is about staying in the playoff hunt and proving they can win tough road games in hostile buildings.
For us? It’s about showing progress. It’s about Bedard continuing to develop. It’s about Spencer Knight proving he can be the goalie of the future. It’s about not rolling over and dying every time we play a team with a winning record.
We’re not making the playoffs this year. That ship has sailed. But we can still play competitive hockey, protect home ice, and give the fans something to cheer about during the holidays.
Keys to Victory
Connor Bedard with 2+ points (please)
Spencer Knight stands on his head (we’ll need it)
Win at least one special teams battle
Score first and actually hold the lead for once
Role players chip in with secondary scoring
The Bottom Line
Look, I’m not delusional. The Flyers are the better team right now. But this is the United Center, it’s right before Christmas, and stranger things have happened in hockey.
If Bedard finds his magic, if Knight plays like a number one, and if our depth players actually contribute, we can steal this one. It’s a long shot, but it’s not impossible.
And honestly? After this season, I’ll take “not impossible” and run with it.
Go Hawks. Please don’t embarrass us in front of the home crowd.
Projected Lines:
Blackhawks:
F: Bedard, Mikheyev, and whoever else shows up
D: Pray
G: Spencer Knight (our only hope)
Flyers:
F: Konecny + competent teammates
D: Solid and annoying
G: Dan Vladar (unfortunately good)
This preview was written with cautious optimism and years of built-up Blackhawks disappointment. Manage expectations accordingly.
The post Blackhawks vs Flyers Preview & Prediction Game Today: December 23rd at the United Center appeared first on UrbanMatter.
