Blackhawks Blanked 1-0 By Blues in Kane’s Preseason Debut

September 25, 2026 · Yahoo Sports

The Chicago Blackhawks (1-1-1) offense struggled to find its rhythm against the St. Louis Blues (1-2-0) in their third of four preseason games on Thursday, as Jordan Binnington stopped all 17 shots faced in a 1-0 shutout victory at Enterprise Center.

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Calle Rosen was the lone goal scorer, netting the game-winner at 3:39 in the third period. Arvid Soderblom stopped 35 of the 36 shots St. Louis fired on target, but his teammates didn’t provide any offensive support.

For the first time this preseason, Patrick Kane suited up for the Blackhawks on Thursday, skating on the top forward line with Frank Nazar and Roman Kantserov. Without Connor Bedard, those three have skated together throughout training camp and will likely remain a combination for next Tuesday’s regular-season opener in Las Vegas.

In their first game action together, the top line looked dangerous and generated multiple scoring chances, but struggled to finish. In 8:15 of ice time at 5-on-5, the Kantserov-Nazar-Kane combo led 5-1 in shots on goal and 3-2 in scoring chances. The Blackhawks’ other nine forwards in the lineup combined for only five scoring chances total.

Kane and Kantserov have shown terrific early chemistry during the shortened training camp, and their connection was noticeable throughout Thursday’s exhibition. On their second shift, Kane pranced into the offensive zone and found Kantserov at the far circle, nearly generating their first preseason goal together.

The two wingers kept moving the puck well, and Nazar was almost the beneficiary of a marvelous passing play between the trio early in the second period. Nazar blasted a one-timer from the slot on goal off a feed from Kane, but Binnington’s blocker miraculously saved the day.

In his first (unofficial) game back with the team that drafted him, Kane looked like his usual self, which is great news for the Blackhawks. With Connor Bedard’s return date from shoulder surgery still unknown, Kane is expected to be a key offensive contributor early in the season. He must be ready to produce come opening night, or else the team could suffer.

Fortunately, Kane’s playmaking and stickhandling were in mid-season form in his first game in several months, often entering the offensive zone and starting the play himself on Thursday. Kane also featured on the top power-play unit, and his puck movement and decision-making were both splendid. Getting his teammates to bury their chances? That was a different story…

Thursday is expected to be Kane’s only preseason appearance, as head coach Jeff Blashill hinted after the morning skate that “Showtime” isn’t likely to play in the finale at the United Center on Saturday. While it wasn’t an ideal outcome in St. Louis, with the Blackhawks getting shut out, Kane at least showed promising signs that he’s ready for the regular season.

As for the rest of the Blackhawks, they’ll need to pick up the slack at training camp over the next four days to get prepared for the reigning Western Conference champions next Tuesday. Soderblom, Kane, and the top forward line were the few bright spots from a lackluster loss to the Blues.

With Wednesday’s news that Bedard’s recovery timeline hasn’t changed, the Blackhawks require a complete team effort to survive in the standings before he returns. What happened in St. Louis won’t cut it once the regular season begins, with too many players in the lineup having little to no positive impact.

Four days remain in training camp, and the Blackhawks still have plenty to improve.

First Period

The Blackhawks’ first shot on goal nearly found the back of the net, with Kane flying into the offensive zone and setting up Kantserov at the left circle for a quick shovel shot from his offside. Kantserov did well to put the puck on net, but Jordan Binnington went from post to post in a hurry for the save.

Kantserov’s early chance was the Blackhawks’ lone shot on goal in the first ten minutes.

Kane finds Kantserov for a strong-side one-timer: pic.twitter.com/pO26yqCiLg
— BHF (@BlackhawksFocus) September 25, 2026

Most of the period involved special-teams play, with the teams combining for four penalties. The Blackhawks committed three, with Connor Mylymok and Kane sitting for tripping, while Landon Slaggert went to the box for hooking.

Soderblom had a tremendous start while his teammates couldn’t stay out of the sin bin, keeping the Blues off the scoreboard and helping kill all three penalties. The 27-year-old stopped all 11 shots that he faced.

In the final minutes, the Blackhawks showed some discipline and finally spent more time in the Blues’ end. Kane and Kantserov connected once more for a quality scoring chance, but Binnington shut it down with a right-pad stop. Kantserov got caught too in tight, with little space to maneuver.

Rocket pass from Kane to get Kantserov a look in tight: pic.twitter.com/9piNsVA3ox
— BHF (@BlackhawksFocus) September 25, 2026

Neither team found the back of the net in the period, with the Blues leading 11-6 in shots on goal. Kantserov was responsible for three of Chicago’s six shots.

Second Period

First-year pro forward AJ Spellacy made his presence felt early in the period, laying a hard hit on Blues defenseman Colton Parayko into the boards. Parayko responded with a cross-check on Spellacy, and the two exchanged pleasantries before teammates separated them.

AJ Spellacy mixing it up with Colton Parayko after laying a big hit. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/kKC9O3tYav
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) September 25, 2026

The Blackhawks’ best chance to get on the board in the opening 40 minutes came off Frank Nazar’s stick, as Kantserov and Kane both made splendid feeds to find their center wide open in the high slot. Nazar ripped a one-timer on net, but Binnington somehow got his blocker across in time to ricochet the puck wide. Still scoreless.

Terrific passes by Roman Kantserov and then Patrick Kane to Frank Nazar, who gets off a quality shot. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/OnK9tXO2Gw
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) September 25, 2026

Both goaltenders were perfect through two periods, leaving the game scoreless entering the second intermission. The Blues led 23-12 in shots on goal and were ahead 21-10 in scoring chances.

According to Natural Stat Trick, Soderblom generated 2.57 goals-saved above expected after 40 minutes.

Third Period

Spellacy was involved in another skirmish early in the third, this time with gargantuan Ross Johnston. The two got tangled up behind the play and began jawing at each other. As the officials tried to break things up, Spellacy and Johnston accidentally butted heads.

Strangely, Spellacy was the only player penalized for head-butting, which calls for an immediate ejection. However, after watching the replay, Johnston appeared to lean into Spellacy right as they made contact. At the very least, Johnston pulled Spellacy towards him. An incorrect call had Spellacy’s night end prematurely.

AJ Spellacy ejected for head butting Ross Johnston: pic.twitter.com/c2UPv5vFN2
— BHF (@BlackhawksFocus) September 25, 2026

During 4-on-4 play, the Blues finally opened the scoring at 3:39, with Calle Rosen launching a shot over Soderblom’s glove. 1-0, St. Louis. Moore committed a disastrous turnover just outside his blue line, leaving Ethan Del Mastro and Kevin Korchinski with little time to recover. Rosen came streaking down the left flank to give the Blues the lead.

Calle Rosen goes top corner. #stlblues pic.twitter.com/gRWDUcYHME
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) September 25, 2026

Soderblom did everything he could to provide the Blackhawks with a chance on Thursday, making a few remarkable saves to keep the score within reach. Arguably his best stop of the night came off Aleksanteri Kaskimaki on a 2-on-1 rush, with the Blues’ forward having half the net to work with. Somehow, Soderblom stuck out his blocker and denied Kaskimaki, preventing St. Louis from adding to the lead. Still 1-0.

What a save by Soderblom: pic.twitter.com/jTwlUbHMXC
— BHF (@BlackhawksFocus) September 25, 2026

Sadly, Soderblom’s spectacular effort wasn’t enough, as the Blackhawks offense fell short in St. Louis. Binnington stopped all 17 shots faced, carrying the Blues to a 1-0 shutout win at Enterprise Center.

On the bright side, Sacha Boisvert got in one final highlight before the final horn sounded, dropping Blues forward Nathan Walker in a quick fight. Boisvert’s boxing background figures to come in handy throughout his pro career. It did against Walker, although St. Louis walked away with the last laugh.

Sacha Boisvert is going to be a problem 👊🏻 pic.twitter.com/4gExmqOi3p
— CHGO Blackhawks (@CHGO_Blackhawks) September 25, 2026

Up Next

The Blackhawks have one final preseason game remaining before the 2026-27 regular season begins against the Vegas Golden Knights on Sept. 29, next Tuesday. They’ll go for revenge against the Blues at the United Center on Saturday.

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