The Chicago Blackhawks concluded the pre-Olympic break period with a harsh 4-0 defeat against the Columbus Blue Jackets on February 4, leaving the team discouraged and silent as they returned to their locker rooms. Following a difficult stretch, the Blackhawks now have the opportunity to reset their approach during the NHL’s Winter Olympic break as they prepare for the next phase of the season.
During this break, the team is regrouping at the Blackhawks Ice Center to ready themselves for their upcoming game against the Nashville Predators on February 26. There was a visible sense of optimism among the players as they briefly kept the media at bay to watch Team Canada’s thrilling 4-3 overtime victory over Czechia in the Olympics.
Pause Provides Needed Recovery and Focus
This extended rest period came as a relief to many players who felt worn down by the season’s pace. Team captain Nick Foligno expressed appreciation for the timing of the break and the renewed motivation after seeing Olympic competition.
“It’s not normal to have this many days off in the season, so (the break) came at us at a good time for some guys,”
Nick Foligno, Team Captain.
“I want to play, and especially watching the Olympics now, and these guys playing here, like ‘all right, I want to get back going here.’”
Nick Foligno, Team Captain.
Currently holding a 22-26-9 record, the Blackhawks sit sixth in the Central Division, 10 points behind a wild-card playoff spot with 25 games left to play. Despite the standings, the team believes the season is far from finished.
Team’s Young Core Seeks Win Streak to Ignite Playoff Run
After the game in Columbus, Foligno emphasized that a string of victories could turn the season around. For the first time in his tenure, he senses that this roster has the potential to sustain a meaningful run as they aim for the postseason.
“There’s an understanding and an eagerness to become a great team in this room, and I think that’s what you need first and foremost,”
Nick Foligno, Team Captain.
“Then you need to put it into action, not just wanting it, you’ve got to apply it.
We limped in (to the break), we wanted to do it, but we weren’t really doing the things necessary to do that. I think having some time to watch our game and to fine-tune some areas that we’ve probably struggled in is going to help us come out of this.”
Nick Foligno, Team Captain.
Coach Sees the Break as a Chance to Rebuild Momentum
Head coach Jeff Blashill also acknowledged that the team required this pause to recharge. With only one player, Teuvo Teräväinen, attending the Olympics in Milan, the Blackhawks retained most of their lineup for practice, an advantage compared to other NHL teams coping with larger absences.
“We got a chance to reset, if you look throughout the league, it’s a pretty good opportunity for us,”
Jeff Blashill, Head Coach.
“We have (one) guy playing in the Olympics, so a bunch of guys got the chance to kind of reset and rest.
We’ve got a whole bunch of guys playing really important minutes that have never really been through this schedule. I thought guys probably needed a break and needed a reset opportunity, that’s what this is. We also get six practices to try to hit the ground running. Does that guarantee success? No, but every team probably hits that break at different points.”
Jeff Blashill, Head Coach.
Practice Time Seen as Crucial for Post-Break Improvement
The week of practices provides the Blackhawks with an essential platform to improve and build cohesion before resuming their quest for a playoff spot. Foligno underscored the benefit of having the team mostly intact during this period, which contrasts with other teams that have multiple players absent due to Olympic duties.
“We only have one guy that’s away at the Olympics, so we’re together practicing (and) there’s a lot of teams that have (multiple) guys (away) so they’re not really able to get the reps that we’re going to get,”
Nick Foligno, Team Captain.
“We should use that to our advantage and make sure we come out of this like we got better.
(Blashill) and the coaching staff really understand that, and I think the guys are excited about that opportunity to come out of this and feel really good about our game.”
Nick Foligno, Team Captain.
Defensive Reinforcements Added Ahead of Return
To strengthen the defensive lineup, Chicago recalled defensemen Sam Rinzel and Kevin Korchinski from the Rockford IceHogs. With their addition, the team’s roster now includes seven blueliners. Korchinski recently participated in the AHL All-Star Classic along with Rockford teammates Nick Lardis and Brett Seney.
This season, Korchinski has contributed 23 points, including two goals and 21 assists, for the IceHogs, alongside two games played for the Blackhawks where he recorded an assist. Coach Blashill praised Korchinski’s recent progress and encouraged him to seize any opportunities on the ice.
“I thought he left the last time playing better that second night than the first night,”
Jeff Blashill, Head Coach.
“He’s done a solid job, so (he) just (has) to put himself in a position that, if he gets an opportunity to play, that he plays well.”
Jeff Blashill, Head Coach.
Rinzel is on his second recall this year, having spent the Olympic break with Rockford. He posted 14 points with the IceHogs and has tallied nine points across 31 NHL games with Chicago.
Injury Update and Role Adjustment for Key Players
Defenseman Wyatt Kaiser was placed on injured reserve retroactive to February 4; although no definite return date is set, Blashill confirmed he is expected to rejoin the lineup later this season. Meanwhile, on February 6, Blashill outlined plans for star forward Connor Bedard to adopt a true center role, which involves Bedard taking face-offs once again, an adjustment aimed at optimizing his impact.
Blackhawks Ready to Capitalize on Break and Chase Playoff Spot
With the NHL season now resuming after the Olympic pause, the Chicago Blackhawks are focused on leveraging their time to reset and strengthen team chemistry. Despite challenges to date, the mix of experienced leadership from Foligno and hopeful potential from younger players like Bedard provides a foundation for improvement.
The opportunity to regroup with nearly the entire roster together during practice is a rarity in this demanding schedule, and both coaching staff and players understand its importance. As they gear up for the stretch run, the Blackhawks aim to exhibit the consistency and determination necessary to close the gap in the Central Division and secure a playoff berth.
