The Minnesota Wild (12-7-4) visit the Chicago Blackhawks (10-8-4) Wednesday night at the United Center, riding a 5-game winning streak while we’re looking to bounce back from a frustrating 1-0 shutout loss to Colorado. This Central Division matchup matters – both teams are fighting for playoff positioning.
Game Information
Date: Wednesday, November 26, 2025
Puck Drop: 8:30 p.m. EST / 7:30 p.m. CST
Location: United Center, Chicago
TV: ESPN+, Hulu
Radio: WGN-AM 720 (Chicago), KFAN 100.3 FM (Minnesota)
Blackhawks Need to Find Their Offense
We’re 10-8-4 and sitting middle of the pack in the Central Division, which feels about right given our inconsistency. That 1-0 loss to the Avalanche on November 23 perfectly encapsulates our season – we play competitive hockey but can’t seem to score when it matters.
The Scoring Drought
Getting shut out at home is embarrassing, plain and simple. We’re struggling to generate high-danger chances and finish opportunities. Against Minnesota’s structured defense, we’ll need to find ways to create offense or this could get ugly.
Young Stars Showing Promise
Frank Nazar continues impressing with 5 goals and 10 assists, showing maturity beyond his years. He’s developing into a legitimate NHL talent, giving us hope for the future even when results don’t go our way.
Bertuzzi Heating Up
Tyler Bertuzzi has been our most consistent offensive threat with 9 goals in his last 10 games. His net-front presence and finishing ability will be crucial against Minnesota’s defensive structure. If anyone’s breaking through against the Wild, it’ll be him.
Secondary Scoring Questions
Vladimir Tarasenko and Ryan Donato need to step up. Bertuzzi can’t do everything alone. Against a team on a 5-game winning streak, we need contributions from multiple lines.
Wild Rolling With Confidence
Minnesota enters playing their best hockey of the season. Their recent 3-0 win over Winnipeg showcased their defensive discipline and goaltending depth, with Filip Gustavsson and Laurent Brossoit both playing well.
The Wild are 2-1-4 in one-goal games, showing they know how to grind out close contests. That’s dangerous for a Blackhawks team that just got shut out and is searching for offensive rhythm.
Kirill Kaprizov Will Get His
The Wild’s superstar remains one of the NHL’s most dangerous players. His creativity and puck control can tilt the ice in Minnesota’s favor at any moment. We need to shadow him constantly and limit his time and space.
Depth Scoring Throughout Lineup
Marco Rossi and Matthew Boldy have provided secondary scoring, giving Minnesota multiple lines that can hurt you. Ryan Hartman and Nick Foligno bring physicality and veteran leadership – exactly what you want in divisional road games.
Defensive Structure Advantage
Jonas Brodin and Jared Spurgeon anchor a defense that forces opponents to the perimeter and limits high-danger chances. Against our struggling offense, that’s a recipe for another frustrating night.
Why This Matchup Worries Me
Minnesota is hot (5-game win streak), we’re cold (just got shut out), and they have better goaltending depth right now. The betting odds reflect this – Minnesota enters with a 57.6% implied win probability according to BetMGM.
Our Penalty Problem
We average 12.1 penalty minutes per game – fourth-most in the NHL. That’s unacceptable. Taking undisciplined penalties against Minnesota’s opportunistic power play will doom us. We absolutely must stay out of the box.
Central Division Struggles
We’re just 2-2-0 in Central Division play. These are the games that matter most for playoff positioning, and we haven’t shown we can consistently beat divisional opponents.
First Meeting of Season
This is our first matchup against Minnesota this season. Historically these games are tight, often decided by one or two goals. But given current form, I’m not confident.
What We Need to Do
Score First
Getting an early lead changes everything. We can’t spot Minnesota a 1-0 or 2-0 advantage and expect to come back against their defensive structure.
Stay Disciplined
No stupid penalties. Every power play opportunity we give Minnesota increases their chances of winning.
Get Traffic in Front
Minnesota’s goaltending has been solid, but both Gustavsson and Brossoit can be beaten with screens and deflections. We need bodies in front creating chaos.
Win Special Teams Battle
Our power play must capitalize if given chances, and our penalty kill needs to shut down their opportunities.
Blackhawks Fan Perspective
This feels like a game we should lose. Minnesota is rolling with five straight wins while we just got shut out at home. They have better goaltending depth, better defensive structure, and more confidence right now.
But it’s hockey – anything can happen. Bertuzzi is hot with 9 goals in his last 10 games. Nazar continues developing. We’re at home where the United Center crowd can provide energy.
We need this game badly. Losing to a divisional opponent on a win streak while they’re surging and we’re struggling would be demoralizing. But pulling off an upset? That could jumpstart our season.
Wednesday night at the United Center – we need to show up, play disciplined hockey, and find a way to score goals.
Game Prediction
Final Score: Wild 3, Blackhawks 2
Minnesota extends their winning streak to six games with a close road victory. Kaprizov scores the game-winner in the third period, while Bertuzzi scores for us but it’s not enough.
Our penalty problems and scoring drought continue, though we battle hard and keep it competitive. Special teams and goaltending make the difference.
Realistic Outlook:
We probably lose this game given current form
Bertuzzi will score but needs help
Discipline will determine whether it’s close or a blowout
Goaltending (likely Mrazek or Söderblom) must be sharp
For Blackhawks fans, this represents a measuring stick game. Can we compete with hot teams, or are we destined for mediocrity?
Let’s Go Hawks!
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