Listless Blackhawks Fall to NHL-Best Avalanche 3-1

Connor Bedard scores, but Chicago manages only 15 shots in 8th loss in 9 games

Mar. 3, 2026 at 2:39am

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The Chicago Blackhawks managed only 15 shots on goal Saturday in a 3-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche, the NHL's best team. Connor Bedard scored the lone goal for the Blackhawks, but it wasn't enough as the Avalanche rallied with three unanswered goals, including two from defenseman Cale Makar. The loss was the Blackhawks' eighth in their last nine games, further diminishing their already slim playoff hopes.

Why it matters

The Blackhawks' struggles this season have been a disappointment for the franchise and its fans. As the NHL trade deadline approaches, the team's veterans are trying to stay focused and not let the uncertainty of potential roster moves distract the team. This loss to the league-leading Avalanche highlights the need for the Blackhawks to find more consistent scoring beyond just rookie sensation Connor Bedard.

The details

The Blackhawks took an early 1-0 lead on Bedard's power-play goal, but the Avalanche responded with three unanswered goals, including two from Makar. Goaltender Spencer Knight kept the Blackhawks in the game, making 32 saves, but the team's offense struggled to generate chances against Avalanche goalie Mackenzie Blackwood. Blackhawks coach Jeff Blashill acknowledged the need for more depth scoring, saying "We need more depth scoring for sure."

  • The game was played on Saturday, February 28, 2026.
  • Bedard's goal came at 6:31 of the first period.

The players

Connor Bedard

A rookie forward for the Chicago Blackhawks who scored his 25th goal of the season, extending his career high.

Cale Makar

A defenseman for the Colorado Avalanche who scored two goals, including the game-tying goal late in the second period and the empty-net goal to seal the win.

Spencer Knight

The goaltender for the Chicago Blackhawks who made 32 saves in the loss.

Mackenzie Blackwood

The goaltender for the Colorado Avalanche who faced only 15 shots from the Blackhawks.

Jeff Blashill

The head coach of the Chicago Blackhawks who acknowledged the need for more depth scoring beyond just Connor Bedard.

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What they’re saying

“We're at a spot where we want to get better at both sides of it, we want to create more (and) we want to give up a little bit less.”

— Jeff Blashill, Head Coach, Chicago Blackhawks

“Can't just be on Connor, he's doing his job. He's getting scoring chances (and) making plays. It's on the rest of us to pick it up and find a way to help him out, give him some run support and that's only going to make our team better.”

— Nick Foligno, Captain, Chicago Blackhawks

“We played a pretty mature game, I just think that we've got to stick to our game plan for a full 60 and go with the ebbs and flows of the game. Colorado has some of the best players in the world, (so) to be in a tight game with them is good for us to learn what it means to be an NHL hockey team.”

— Spencer Knight, Goaltender, Chicago Blackhawks

What’s next

The Blackhawks will travel to Salt Lake City to face the Utah Mammoth on Sunday, March 2, 2026 in the first of three meetings between the teams in a 12-day span.

The takeaway

The Blackhawks' struggles this season have highlighted the need for the team to find more consistent scoring beyond just rookie sensation Connor Bedard. As the NHL trade deadline approaches, the team's veterans are trying to stay focused and not let the uncertainty of potential roster moves distract the team from improving on both ends of the ice.