Chicago Blackhawks News

Home

Quizzes

Newsletter

Talia Sprague-Imagn Images

Recap: Blackhawks fend off Sharks, win 6-3

Originally posted on The Rink | By Matt Csakai | Last updated Feb 3, 2026 1:39 PM ET

The Chicago Blackhawks came into Monday night’s action in a rough patch. They had lost their last five games total, with a couple losses coming in the shootout, but badly needed a rebound game or two before the Olympic break. They would look to do that against the San Jose Sharks at home at the United Center.

The only lineup change of note would be Colton Dach checking back in for Sam Lafferty, who barely played in their loss to Columbus on Friday night.

First period

The Blackhawks got three out of four power plays in an eventful first period. On their second attempt on the power play, they made the Sharks pay. With some brilliant puck movement from all five players on the ice, they moved the puck from up high to down low without the Sharks being able to do anything about it. Tyler Bertuzzi found a wide-open Teuvo Teravainen in the middle of the ice. He then found Connor Bedard, who buried the one-timer to put the Blackhawks up 1-0.

make that - with a goal for Bedsy pic.twitter.com/SUnfMjldl0

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) February 3, 2026

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

That would be all the action for the first, as the Blackhawks would head into the intermission with a 1-0 lead.

Second period

This period would get started earlier than the first with the scoring. Just 2:14 in, what looked like a routine shot on net snuck in. Connor Murphy teed up a shot from the right circle that snuck past defenders in front and under the pad of Yaroslav Askarov, making it 2-0 Chicago.

# was right on time pic.twitter.com/RkllDP2Jz8

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) February 3, 2026

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

Then, over seven minutes later, the Blackhawks would strike again. This time it was Ryan Donato who got a beautiful pass, and made a beautiful move to get a shot past Askarov, making it 3-0 Blackhawks.

signed, sealed, pic.twitter.com/CN8IQ5wVM9

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) February 3, 2026

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

Next, Sam Rinzel got in on the scoring in his second game back after being recalled. He found space in the middle of the ice and put home a one-timer, making it 4-0 Chicago. The Sharks would get a goal back a minute and a half later. Macklin Celebrini put the puck off of Alex Vlasic’s skate in front of the net. The puck found itself right on the stick of Will Smith, who made no mistake in burying his shot, 4-1 Blackhawks. Thirty-six seconds was all it would take for the Blackhawks to answer. This time, it was Ilya Mikheyev getting in on the scoring. He got a tip in at the side of the net past Alex Nedeljkovic, 5-1 Chicago.

The Sharks would get one goal back before the period ended. This time, it was Celebrini doing the scoring, putting the puck right over the blocker of Spencer Knight, 5-2 Chicago. That is how this crazy period would end, with the Blackhawks up big.

Third period

The third period was much quieter after a crazy second period. The Sharks struck early, with Shakir Mukhamadullin putting home his third for the Sharks on a backhand shot to make it 5-3 Blackhawks. Fourteen and a half minutes into the period, Donato got his second of the game, scoring on a rebound opportunity to make it 6-3 Blackhawks following a bad Celebrini turnover.

Ryan’s goal of the night,
makes it for the team pic.twitter.com/Wq0CwH2Gos

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) February 3, 2026

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

That is how the game would finish, with the Blackhawks taking home the victory.

Analysis

This game was a great rebound game. The line of Mikheyev, Donato and Jason Dickinson was hugely productive and total difference-makers in the game. The trio put up their best performance of the season, potting 10 points between the three of them and coming through with some huge goals to take home the victory. The Blackhawks also won this game with all of the supporting stats going against them. They lost shots, faceoff percentage and hits by a wide margin, but still managed to get it done and get back in the win column.

The next game for the Blackhawks is the last before the Olympic break. They will take on the Columbus Blue Jackets again in Columbus on Wednesday at 6 p.m. CST. That game, as usual, will be on CHSN.