Game Time: Monday, February 2, 2026 at 8:30 PM ET
Location: United Center, Chicago
TV: ESPN+, NBC Sports Chicago, NBC Sports California
Spread: Blackhawks +1.5
Total: 6.5 goals
Alright Hawks fans, this is getting painful.
We’re 21-25-9, stuck in 13th place in the Western Conference, and on a FIVE-game losing streak. We just lost 4-2 at home to Columbus—a game we absolutely should have won—and now we’re hosting the San Jose Sharks, who are 27-22-4 and actually in the playoff hunt.
On paper, this looks like another L. San Jose is better than us. They score more goals. They’ve got Macklin Celebrini putting up 79 points and looking like a future star.
But we’re at home. We’ve got Connor Bedard. And we’re desperate to stop the bleeding.
This is a must-win game. Not “should win”—MUST WIN. Because if we lose six straight, the season is basically over.
Current Records: We’re Bad, They’re Mediocre (But Better)
Blackhawks: 21-25-9 (13th in West, on a 5-game losing streak)
Sharks: 27-22-4 (10th in West, lost last game but won 2 of last 5)
Let’s be brutally honest—both teams are outside the playoff picture right now. The Sharks are 10th in the West, we’re 13th. Neither of us is making noise in the standings.
But there’s a massive difference between “barely out of the playoffs” and “almost certainly not making it.”
San Jose is 27-22-4. That’s a .547 points percentage. They’re still in the hunt. They’ve got hope.
We’re 21-25-9. That’s a .464 points percentage. We’re not making the playoffs. This is a lost season, and we’re just trying to develop Connor Bedard and not totally embarrass ourselves.
Why We’re Slight Underdogs at Home (Which Hurts)
1. We’re On A Five-Game Losing Streak
Five straight losses. We can’t win right now. We’re making mistakes, we’re not scoring enough, and we’re finding ways to lose games we should win.
The Columbus loss at home was the final straw. We had that game and let it slip away.
2. San Jose Scores More Goals
They average 3.09 goals per game. We average 2.64. That’s nearly half a goal difference every single night.
In a league where games are often decided by one goal, that’s a huge advantage.
3. Macklin Celebrini Is Having A Ridiculous Season
Celebrini has 79 points (27 goals, 52 assists). He’s one of the best young players in hockey and is absolutely torching teams right now.
Against our defense? He’s going to feast.
4. They’re Better On Special Teams
San Jose has a 20.8% power play. We’re at 19.4%. Their power play is more dangerous.
Our penalty kill is better (85.4% vs their 78.0%), but if we’re taking penalties all night, that advantage disappears.
5. We’re Missing Key Players
Nick Foligno and Ty Dellandrea are both out. That’s two NHL-caliber forwards we’re missing. San Jose is relatively healthy.
Depth matters, especially in back-to-back situations or when guys are banged up.
Can The Blackhawks Actually Win This Game?
Let me try to find reasons to believe we don’t lose six straight:
1. Connor Bedard Is Connor Bedard
Bedard has 52 points (22 goals, 30 assists) and is the best thing to happen to this franchise in decades. When he’s on the ice, we have a chance.
If Bedard gets extended ice time, especially on the power play, he can take over this game. One shift, one play, and suddenly we’re up 2-0.
2. We’re At Home
The United Center crowd can still get into it when the Hawks are competing. If we jump out early and get the fans behind us, maybe—just maybe—that energy carries us.
3. Our Goaltending Has Been Decent
Spencer Knight has a 2.60 GAA and .909 save percentage. Those are respectable numbers for a goalie on a bad team.
If Knight can make 30+ saves and keep us in the game, Bedard just needs to create 2-3 goals and we’ve got a shot.
4. San Jose’s Goaltending Has Been Shaky
Yaroslav Askarov has a 3.47 GAA and .890 save percentage. That’s… not good. If we can generate shots and get quality chances, we can score on him.
5. We’re Desperate
We’ve lost five straight. Our season is slipping away. This is a game we HAVE to have.
Desperation can fuel great performances. Maybe tonight is when our guys finally show up.
The Connor Bedard vs Macklin Celebrini Showdown
This is the storyline everyone should be watching. Two generational young talents going head-to-head.
Connor Bedard: 52 points, 18 years old, already our best player. The future of the franchise.
Macklin Celebrini: 79 points, 19 years old, one of the league’s top scorers. The Sharks’ best player.
Whoever has the bigger night probably swings the result. If Bedard gets 2 goals and an assist, we win. If Celebrini dominates with 3+ points, San Jose pulls away.
This is appointment viewing for hockey fans. Two young stars who will define the next decade of the NHL.
Edge: Celebrini based on stats this season, but Bedard has that “take over the game” ability.
My Prediction: We Lose In Overtime
I want to believe we can win. We’re at home. We’ve got Bedard. We’re desperate.
But we’re on a five-game losing streak, and San Jose is just better than us right now.
Final Score: Sharks 4, Blackhawks 3 (OT)
We keep it close all night. Bedard scores. Knight makes big saves. But we give up a late goal to force overtime, and Celebrini ends it in the extra frame.
It’s a gutsy effort, but we extend the losing streak to six.
Betting Picks
Lean: Blackhawks +1.5 ✓
One and a half goals at home? I’ll take it. Even if we lose, we should keep it close.
Strong Lean: Over 6.5 ✓✓
Both teams can score. Neither defense is great. This goes over.
Avoid: Blackhawks Moneyline
We’re on a 5-game losing streak. I’m not confident enough to bet we win outright.
Player Prop: Connor Bedard Over 0.5 Points
Bedard always produces. He’ll get at least a point.
Keys To Ending The Losing Streak
For the Blackhawks to win:
- Connor Bedard with 2+ points
- Spencer Knight with 30+ saves
- Score first and get the crowd into it
- Win the special teams battle
- Get 25+ shots on goal
What extends the streak to six:
- Macklin Celebrini dominates (3+ points)
- We give up 4+ goals again
- Power play goes 0-for-4
- Defensive breakdowns lead to odd-man rushes
- We can’t score on Askarov despite his shaky numbers
The Honest Blackhawks Fan Take
Five straight losses. We’re 21-25-9 and basically out of the playoff race. The season is lost.
But we can’t lose six straight at home to a team we should be able to compete with. San Jose is better, but they’re not THAT much better.
Connor Bedard is special. Spencer Knight has been solid. If both show up tonight and our depth guys contribute even a little, we can win this game.
Can we? Absolutely. Will we? I’m not confident. But the losing streak has to end eventually, right?
Sharks 4, Blackhawks 3 (OT). We lose close, probably don’t cover, and the pain continues.
Go Hawks. Please end the losing streak. Give us something to cheer about.
Game Info Summary
- When: Monday, February 2, 2026 at 8:30 PM ET
- Where: United Center, Chicago
- TV: ESPN+, NBC Sports Chicago, NBC Sports California
- Records: Blackhawks 21-25-9, Sharks 27-22-4
- Spread: Blackhawks +1.5
- Total: 6.5 goals
Blackhawks’ struggles:
- 5-game losing streak
- 21-25-9 record (13th in West)
- Average 2.64 goals per game
- Missing Nick Foligno and Ty Dellandrea
Sharks’ advantages:
- 27-22-4 record (10th in West)
- Average 3.09 goals per game
- Macklin Celebrini with 79 points
- Won 2 of last 5 games
Key matchup: Connor Bedard (52 points) vs Macklin Celebrini (79 points)
Key stat: We’re 2-6-2 in last 10 games (awful)
Final picks:
- Blackhawks +1.5 (lean)
- Over 6.5 (strong lean)
- Connor Bedard Over 0.5 Points
Bottom line: We’re desperate to end the losing streak, but San Jose is better. Close loss likely.
Go Hawks. End the streak. Show some pride at home.