The Chicago Blackhawks delivered a performance to remember on January 7, 2026, as they stormed past the St. Louis Blues with a resounding 7-3 victory at the United Center. This win, their fourth straight since the start of the new year, has fans buzzing and the locker room brimming with confidence. But amid the excitement of this on-ice success, the organization and its supporters also paused to reflect and mourn the passing of one of their all-time greats, legendary goaltender Glenn Hall, whose legacy remains woven deeply into the fabric of Blackhawks history.
Let’s start with the action on the ice. The Blackhawks, now boasting a 4-0-0 record in 2026 and a 5-1-1 mark since the Christmas break, looked every bit the part of a team coming together at just the right time. The United Center crowd didn’t have to wait long for drama. Just 27 seconds after the opening faceoff, St. Louis’ Tyler Tucker capitalized on a defensive miscue, putting the Blues ahead before many fans had even settled into their seats. The early deficit could have rattled a lesser squad, especially after Chicago committed back-to-back penalties in quick succession, handing the Blues two golden opportunities to extend their lead.
But the Blackhawks’ penalty kill, a strength all season long, had other ideas. Killing off both penalties with poise, Chicago’s shorthanded unit set the tone for the rest of the night. It’s no fluke—Chicago’s penalty kill now sits third in the NHL at a robust 84.4% success rate, and during their current five-game point streak, they’ve allowed just a single power-play goal. As defenseman Connor Murphy, a mainstay on the PK, put it after the game, “I think our penalty kill gave us some momentum at the start and allowed us to get to our game. When you get kills, when you can get some in a row, you kind of build a little bit of flow.”
That flow quickly shifted the game’s momentum. Less than a half-minute after the Blackhawks returned to full strength, they earned a power play of their own. With the second unit on the ice, Oliver Moore showed off his vision and patience, faking a shot before zipping a pass to Nick Lardis at the right circle. Lardis hammered home his third NHL goal, tying things up at 1-1. The rest of the first period was a chess match, with both teams trading chances but neither breaking through again. The Blues finished the frame with a slight 13-10 edge in shots.
The second period, though, belonged to Chicago. After a cautious start, the Blackhawks’ offense erupted. On their second power-play chance of the night, Moore took a feed from Matt Grzelcyk and ripped a shot over Jordan Binnington’s shoulder, notching his fourth goal of the season and his second point of the night. The Blues answered quickly, with Otto Stenberg scoring his first NHL goal just 41 seconds later, but Chicago wasted no time regaining control. Oskar Sundqvist’s turnover in his own zone led to Murphy blasting a shot past Binnington for his first goal of the campaign. Three goals in just 76 seconds had the arena rocking.
The Blackhawks weren’t done. With 7:33 left in the second, Colton Dach unleashed a wicked wrister from the high slot, and Landon Slaggert—parked in front of the net—redirected it for his second goal of the year. The onslaught continued as Louis Crevier fired from the point, and Jason Dickinson tipped it home for his fifth of the season, making it 5-2. Chicago outscored the Blues 4-1 in the period and dominated in scoring chances, 14-4, heading into the final frame.
Special teams continued to shine in the third. Two St. Louis penalties gave the Blackhawks a 5-on-3 advantage, and Andre Burakovsky snapped a seven-game goal drought with his 10th of the year, extending his point streak to four games. Crevier got in on the scoring, too, jumping into the rush and finishing off his fourth goal of the season. Slaggert and Crevier each finished with a goal and an assist, joining Moore, Murphy, and Grzelcyk (two assists) as the night’s multi-point performers. Seven different Blackhawks found the back of the net, and a whopping 13 skaters recorded at least one point—a testament to the team’s growing depth and chemistry.
St. Louis managed a late tally from Nathan Walker, but by then, the contest was well out of reach. The final horn sounded, and the Blackhawks faithful who braved the late hour were rewarded with a dominant win and plenty of reasons for optimism. Chicago’s record now stands at 18-18-7 through 43 games, and the team is riding a wave of confidence as they prepare for a rematch with the Washington Capitals on January 9. The Blackhawks edged the Capitals 3-2 in a shootout just days prior, setting the stage for another intriguing showdown.
Amid the team’s current surge, the organization also shared somber news on January 8, issuing a heartfelt statement on the passing of Glenn Hall. Known as ‘Mr. Goalie,’ Hall was a transformative figure for the Blackhawks, backstopping the club to the 1961 Stanley Cup Championship and pioneering the butterfly style that changed the goaltending position forever. Hall’s remarkable streak of 502 consecutive complete games—a record that remains unmatched in NHL history—stands as a testament to his durability and dedication.
Blackhawks Chairman and CEO Danny Wirtz reflected on Hall’s legacy, stating, “During his decade in Chicago, he became the backbone of the Blackhawks, leading the team to our 1961 Stanley Cup Championship. Known affectionately as ‘Mr. Goalie,’ Glenn’s legacy is monumental. He was an innovator, introducing the butterfly style that revolutionized the position and influenced generations of future goaltenders and would-be goal scorers alike.” Hall’s No. 1 jersey hangs in the United Center rafters, a permanent tribute to his enduring impact on the franchise and the sport.
Hall’s accolades are as impressive as his on-ice feats. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame and named one of the NHL’s 100 Greatest Players, but perhaps more than anything, he was revered for his consistency and leadership. The Blackhawks organization extended its deepest condolences to Hall’s family, friends, and all who admired him, saying, “We are grateful for his extraordinary contributions to hockey and to our club, and we will honor his memory today and always.”
As the Blackhawks look ahead to their next challenge against the Capitals, there’s a palpable sense of momentum in the air. The possible return of star forward Connor Bedard, who participated in the team’s morning skate after recovering from a shoulder injury, could provide an extra spark. If Bedard is cleared to play, fans can expect even more fireworks from a team that’s already firing on all cylinders. With their penalty kill humming, power play clicking, and depth players stepping up, the Blackhawks seem poised for a compelling stretch of hockey—one that would surely make Mr. Goalie proud.