The last time a Chicago Blackhawks team played a game with as much league-wide attention on it as tonight’s matchup in Washington was Game 6 of the 2015 Stanley Cup Final. With all due respect to all of the outdoor games and the wild media circus that followed the first few months of Connor Bedard’s rookie season, tonight is going to be something different.
We might witness history tonight.
Alex Ovechkin needs three goals to break Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL record — a record that, for a long time, many thought was untouchable. The last time Ovechkin played the Blackhawks with the possibility of history was Dec. 13, 2022. He came to Chicago three goals away from reaching 800 in his career. And, with a hat trick against the Blackhawks, accomplished the feat at the United Center.
Three goals away…
OVI'S 892nd GOAL… WE'RE IN THE ENDGAME NOW PEOPLE 🚨 pic.twitter.com/1aZ6cLgOE5
- Really good read from Ben Pope after the Blackhawks’ loss to the Avs on Wednesday night. As I wrote when discussing the development process for young defensemen on Thursday morning, learning to play in the NHL takes time. So does learning to win in the NHL. The Blackhawks are battling, but coming up short lately.
Blackhawks games have been consistently more competitive and compelling during the last few weeks, but they haven’t been more successful. Tonight's heartbreaking loss exemplified that trend. Postgame story: https://t.co/9ynbuu9I2Z— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) April 3, 2025
- I joined Scott Powers and Mark Lazerus on their podcast on Thursday to talk about my book, The Future: Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks’ New Era.
— Scott Powers (@scottpowers.bsky.social) April 3, 2025 at 12:39 PMNEW POWERS & LAZ: @marklazerus.bsky.social and I discuss last night's Blackhawks' game and have on @the1tab.bsky.social to talk about his new Connor Bedard book.Listen here ⤵️ www.patreon.com/posts/guest-…
- Hey, it looks like there will actually be a Blackhawks game on CHSN available on Comcast/Xfinity before the end of the regular season! I know… and here I thought miracles didn’t happen any more. The network announced the game in Pittsburgh on Tuesday night will be broadcast on The U (WCIU).
https://twitter.com/wciu/status/1907909727482425604
- An interesting read from Michael Russo and Chris Johnston at The Athletic about a potential boom in offer sheets being offered this summer and in coming years. They use the Blues’ sheets to two young Oilers this past summer, and the success they’re now having in St. Louis, as a launching point for there to be more action in this market — one that hasn’t been popular in the past. This quote from agent Allan Walsh got my attention:
“There are not a lot of top-end players available as unrestricted free agents this year,” Walsh said. “So many players are locked up on longer-term deals where they’re not going to be available this year and they’re not going to be available next year. But if you’re looking to make your team better, some of the top available players happen to be RFAs, not UFAs.
“And would you rather devote $6, $7, $8 million to a 31-year-old where you have to attach term to that deal? Or would you rather throw that money at a 23- or 24-year-old and have a guy that, if you’re successful, you’re getting him for the prime of his career? That’s what will drive (the increase in offer sheets).”
‘The summer of offer sheets’: NHL execs and agents on why a boom could be coming this offseason By @reporterchris and me https://t.co/SJMxVHRZkx— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) April 3, 2025
- This is the good stuff.
#Blackhawks prospect Marek Vanacker will donate the $2000 proceeds from his Game 3 OT winner to the Canadian Transplant Association, raising awareness for transplant recipients, donor families & living donors. 🚨#OHLPlayoffs | #OHLAssists | #OHLOvertimeHeroes https://t.co/2vuBhpw9zS pic.twitter.com/6cfhOBRopU— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) April 3, 2025
- In the OHL playoffs, Nick Lardis scored the first of the Bulldogs’ three goals in a 6-3 loss at North Bay. Marek Vanacker was held without a point.
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) April 4, 2025Thursday night 🚨 for #Blackhawks prospect Nick Lardis for @BulldogsOHL
- Martin Misiak and Ty Henryhad one assist each as Erie beat Saginaw 7-3 at the Otters’ barn.
- Alex Pharandand Sudbury were eliminated from the postseason by Kingston. It wasn’t a great playoff for Pharand, who picked up his only assist of the series in the elimination game. He posted 59 points (17 goals, 42 assists) in 65 regular season games but had just the one point on seven shots on net and was minus-five in four playoff games.
- Jack Pridhamscored the first goal of the game and was credited with a team-high seven shots on goal as Kitchener blasted Flint 5-1.
PRIDHAM OPENS THE SCORING🔴🔵@NHLBlackhawks prospect Jack Pridham walks right in and snipes one, giving @OHLRangers the lead after a scoreless first period!🎯🤩#OHLPlayoffs | @CHLHockey | #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/zvbLtYP8Wg— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) April 4, 2025
- Tonight, Flint visits Pridham and Kitchener and Windsor, who have a 3-1 lead in their series, host Sault Ste. Marie. We’ll see if AJ Spellacy is back in their lineup after missing the last couple games.
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written by
Tab Bamford
Tab Bamford has been writing about the Chicago Blackhawks for almost two decades. He joined Bleacher Nation as the lead Blackhawks writer in May 2022. Tab is a member of the Professional Hockey Writers Association and is the author of three books about the Blackhawks: "The Future: Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks' New Era,"(Triumph Books),"100 Things Blackhawks Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die" (Triumph Books) and "Chicago Blackhawks: An Illustrated Timeline" (Reedy Press, 2021). Find him on Twitter/X/Instagram/Threads at @The1Tab
