Blackhawks Focused on Final Stretch After Olympic Break

Team captain Nick Foligno sees 'eagerness to become a great team' as Chicago looks to make playoff push.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The Chicago Blackhawks are using the NHL's Olympic break to reset and prepare for the final 25 games of the season. With only one player, Teuvo Teräväinen, away at the Olympics, the Blackhawks have the advantage of having most of their roster at practice this week to fine-tune their game. Team captain Nick Foligno believes the team has the right mindset to make a playoff push, saying there is an 'eagerness to become a great team' in the locker room.

Why it matters

The Blackhawks are currently sixth in the Central Division and 10 points out of a wild-card playoff spot, so the final stretch of the season will be crucial if they hope to make the postseason for the first time since 2017. With most of the team able to practice together during the Olympic break, the Blackhawks have an opportunity to build momentum and chemistry ahead of their first game back on February 26.

The details

The Blackhawks will spend this week practicing at the Blackhawks Ice Center to prepare for their first game back on February 26 against the Nashville Predators. Head coach Jeff Blashill believes the break came at a good time for his players, many of whom have never experienced the NHL's condensed Olympic-year schedule. The team has also recalled defensemen Sam Rinzel and Kevin Korchinski from the Rockford IceHogs, giving them seven blueliners on the roster.

  • The Blackhawks' last game before the Olympic break was a 4-0 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on February 4.
  • The Blackhawks will play their first game back from the Olympic break on February 26 against the Nashville Predators.
  • The AHL All-Star Classic was held in Rockford for the first time this year, with Blackhawks prospects Kevin Korchinski and Nick Lardis participating.

The players

Nick Foligno

The Blackhawks' team captain who sees an 'eagerness to become a great team' in the locker room.

Jeff Blashill

The Blackhawks' head coach who believes the Olympic break came at a good time for his players.

Teuvo Teräväinen

The only Blackhawks player currently away at the Olympics in Milan, Italy.

Sam Rinzel

A defenseman recalled from the Rockford IceHogs, this is his second recall of the season.

Kevin Korchinski

A defenseman recalled from the Rockford IceHogs, he represented the IceHogs at the AHL All-Star Classic.

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What they’re saying

“It's not normal to have this many days off in the season, so (the break) came at us at a good time for some guys. I want to play, and especially watching the Olympics now, and these guys playing here, like 'all right, I want to get back going here.'”

— Nick Foligno, Team Captain (Chicago Tribune)

“There's an understanding and an eagerness to become a great team in this room, and I think that's what you need first and foremost. Then you need to put it into action, not just wanting it, you've got to apply it.”

— Nick Foligno, Team Captain (Chicago Tribune)

“We got a chance to reset, if you look throughout the league, it's a pretty good opportunity for us. We have (one) guy playing in the Olympics, so a bunch of guys got the chance to kind of reset and rest.”

— Jeff Blashill, Head Coach (Chicago Tribune)

What’s next

The Blackhawks will play their first game back from the Olympic break on February 26 against the Nashville Predators.

The takeaway

The Blackhawks' ability to practice together during the Olympic break, with only one player away, gives them a unique opportunity to build chemistry and momentum heading into the final stretch of the season as they push for a playoff spot. Their 'eagerness to become a great team' could be the spark they need to make a late-season surge.