TEAM EDITORIAL

The Chicago Blackhawks’ season has begun disastrously, with two losses and an 11-2 scoring deficit leaving little room for the optimism that surrounded the club entering 2026-27. Their underlying performance has been even worse: Chicago has generated only 37.9% of expected goals, the NHL’s poorest mark over the opening stretch, while allowing sustained pressure and too many quality chances. The absence of stabilizing contributors has magnified the problems, leaving the lineup vulnerable defensively and placing greater responsibility on its younger core.

Coach Jeff Blashill has maintained confidence, but the early results demand a sharper response in structure, puck management and competitiveness. Connor Bedard remains the central offensive figure, while Patrick Kane and Teuvo Teravainen bring experience and Buffalo-specific history to a group that has struggled to create enough. Bowen Byram and Jordan Greenway, acquired from Buffalo in June, add an intriguing storyline to Saturday’s matchup, and the Blackhawks need immediate contributions from both sides of the puck.

Chicago’s next opportunity comes October 3 in Buffalo, where the Sabres await at KeyBank Center. The matchup offers a chance to halt the slide, but the indicators favor the hosts: Chicago has been heavily outplayed, has lost consecutive games, and enters as a substantial underdog. A competitive showing would not erase the poor start, but it could restore some credibility to a season that already risks squandering its summer momentum.