In the week before the Olympic hiatus, Blackhawks goaltender Spencer Knight faced a persistent illness that affected his performance on the ice. Despite experiencing chills and difficulty speaking, Knight chose to play, relying on his belief that pushing through adversity builds valuable experience, especially in a demanding role that requires constant communication with defensemen.
Choosing to Play Through Health Challenges
Coach Jeff Blashill encourages players to assess their readiness when ill, and Knight felt capable of giving full effort. Consequently, he started in the Hawks’ final two games before the break, facing the Sharks and Blue Jackets. Knight’s decision to compete while sick stems from his careful and philosophical approach to both hockey and life.
“I don’t like speaking things into existence, and I saw it as a test,”
Knight said Thursday. “The way I look at it is putting yourself in different situations is how you’re going to learn.”
“Learning how to navigate not feeling well at all physically — and learning how to play with that — is really valuable going into the future. If there’s times where you have to play — or maybe you’re in the playoffs — you’ve got to figure something out. For me, it gives me more experience, which is good. I want to grab as much experience as I can.”
Impact of Travel and Importance of Recovery Time
Knight suspects his weakened immune system was linked to a delayed Blackhawks flight that arrived late in Pittsburgh, a travel detail he hopes the NHL may reconsider in favor of daytime flights after games. The Olympic break proved timely, allowing Knight to fully regain his health while spending time with family and friends across Connecticut, Massachusetts, and relaxing on Florida’s beaches.
During this period, Knight also met with Panthers goalie and mentor Sergei Bobrovsky, an interaction that may offer further guidance as Knight advances in his NHL career.
Rookie Goalies Benefit Significantly From the Break
The pause in play brought valuable rest not only for the Hawks’ many rookie forwards and defensemen but perhaps even more so for their goalies. Although Knight is no longer a rookie in the NHL, this season marks his debut as a full-time starter. His 39 starts so far surpass his previous seasons, underscoring the intensity of his first full campaign at this level.
Gaining Experience Through High-Stress Situations
Knight highlighted the importance of observing and anticipating game scenarios as part of his development, yet acknowledged that unexpected moments still arise. He adapts by relying on whatever state he is in before a game and giving his best effort under those circumstances.
“I’ve been able to be really intentional observing and anticipating things [to figure out] what to expect,”
he explained.
“But there’s still situations you don’t expect, right? And you just learn how to go [with it]. Whatever I have in that moment before the game, that’s what I’ve got. I’ll just do what I can.”
Performance Trends and Looking Ahead to Season’s End
At the start of the season, Knight posted an impressive .924 save percentage and a plus-12.8 Goals Saved Above Average (GSAA) through his first 15 starts, leading league starters in both categories at that point. However, his performance cooled over the next 24 starts, producing an .895 save percentage and a minor negative GSAA. These numbers still place him among the top 10 in total GSAA for the season, but a strong finish could boost both his confidence and the Hawks’ team morale.
Plans for Post-Season Evaluation and Training
Knight is not currently focusing on specific technical adjustments, preferring instead to evaluate his game in April. He maintains a routine of skating immediately after the season ends, followed by a period of rest during the summer. This strategy is part of his broader approach to sustaining high-level performance through careful management of physical and mental recovery.
