The Chicago Blackhawks opened their four-game preseason slate with a disappointing 3-2 overtime loss to the Minnesota Wild at Grand Casino Arena on Saturday night. The Blackhawks couldn't sustain a late one-goal lead in the third period, surrendering the game-tying goal to Nico Sturm with just under six minutes remaining in regulation.
In overtime, Daemon Hunt tallied a flukey game-winning goal for Minnesota, securing the come-from-behind victory. It's a result all too familiar for the Blackhawks, with three of the four regular-season meetings between these teams last year resulting in an overtime win for the Wild.
Minnesota raced out to a quick start on Saturday, recording eight of the game's first nine shots on goal and opening the scoring with a breakaway tally from Rieger Lorenz in the first period. The Blackhawks AHL-heavy lineup looked shaky in the early going, but started settling in as the game progressed.
The few players from the NHL group at training camp that suited up helped lead the turnaround, with one being defenseman Kevin Korchinski . Entering camp, Korchinski's NHL roster spot is secure, but his role is likely minimal as the team's seventh defensemen. To help generate a larger role for himself, he must standout during his preseason opportunities, and he did just that on Saturday.
Korchinski appeared to tie the game in the first period with a beautiful wrist shot into the top corner after joining the rush, only for the goal to be credited to Dominic Toninato , who was crashing the net as the puck went by. Regardless, Korchinski helped record the Blackhawks' first preseason tally, and his stout play continued from then on.
With the puck, Korchinski looked calm and poised, making crisp pass after crisp pass up the ice. His reads were excellent, and his execution even better, for the most part. Defensively, Korchinski also held up well in board battles and was strong on his stick. His added muscle during offseason training, now up to 198 pounds, seemed to benefit him in the dirty areas.
Korchinski led all Blackhawks' skaters with 25:25 time on ice and finished with a primary assist and a plus-one rating. He was on the ice for both of his team's goals in the game. As one of three players wearing the "A" as an alternate captain on Saturday, Korchinski performed like a leader as the anchor of Chicago's blue line. It was precisely the preseason debut he was looking for, even though the result didn't go the Blackhawks' way.
Ethan Del Mastro , Landon Slaggert , and Arvid Soderblom , the other three players who've been skating with the NHL group, also helped the Blackhawks get back in the game on Saturday. Along with Korchinski, Del Mastro and Slaggert, who are duking it out for the final opening-night roster spot, were the other two alternate captains. Soderblom received the start in goal.
Del Mastro was Korchinski's partner on the top defensive pairing and did well to help shut down Minnesota's offense when on the ice. In 23:55 of ice time, Del Mastro had a plus-two rating and tallied one blocked shot. He made a few quick, heads-up plays to help exit the defensive zone and transition up ice.
Slaggert skated on the top line with Dominic Toninato and Gavin Hayes , recording one shot on goal and two hits in 16:50. Between the combination, Slaggert was perhaps the most ineffective, with Hayes and Toninato being arguably the Blackhawks' two best forwards on Saturday. Still, Slaggert played hard-nosed hockey and used his speed to be effective in all three zones. He also drew one penalty and had a plus-one rating.
Between Del Mastro and Slaggert, it's a toss up as to who performed better, but both had solid first preseason looks. Their next game action should come with the NHL roster, either on Monday against Minnesota or Thursday vs. St. Louis . The Blackhawks probably want to see how they fare against improved competition, with Minnesota icing a lineup filled with minor-league players on Saturday. The next time they suit up could determine who earns the final roster spot.
Like Korchinski, Soderblom's NHL gig to start the season is safe, but he'll need to play well to remain as Spencer Knight 's backup. With Drew Commesso waiting in the wings, Soderblom cannot afford to be wildly inconsistent again this season, or he'll lose his job.
On Saturday, Soderblom was anything but inconsistent, stopping 23 of 26 shots faced, including 13 of 14 in the first period, when the Blackhawks were asleep at the wheel. The 27-year-old cannot be blamed for any of the three goals allowed against Minnesota, with one coming via breakaway, another from a blown coverage, and the game-winner arguably should have been overturned for a kicking motion. Soderblom also made some key saves with his team shorthanded, helping the penalty kill go 5-for-5.
The Blackhawks' NHL bubble players were the standouts on Saturday, as they should have been, considering the competition. The coaching staff should be pleased with their performances, although it didn't make their job any easier in determining which one won't be traveling to Las Vegas in eight days.
Per the new NHL guidelines this year, players with 100 or more career NHL appearances can appear in only two preseason matches. That leaves Korchinski, Slaggert, and Soderblom with only one more preseason game to further prove themselves. Del Mastro, with only 45 career NHL contests, is eligible to play more than two preseason games.
Lorenz opened the scoring at 7:50 on a breakaway, with Dylan Gambrell 's outlet pass banking off Korchinski's skate to create the opportunity. Derrick Pouliot was caught puck watching in the neutral zone, letting Lorenz get behind him all alone with Soderblom. 1-0, Minnesota.
Rieger Lorenz on the breakaway pic.twitter.com/WhrxGsr2TN
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) September 20, 2026
Toninato answered back to tie the game 1-1 at 12:12, deflecting Korchinski's shot from the point while driving the crease for the Blackhawks' first preseason goal. Hayes registered the secondary assist and started the entire play by forcing a turnover in the neutral zone.
Dominic Toninato➡️Gavin Hayes➡️Kevin Korchinski🚨
Korchinski rips home the #Blackhawks first goal of the 2026 preseason to tie the game 1-1! pic.twitter.com/o1msQFIK6y— Talkin' Hawkey (@TalkinHawkey) September 20, 2026
Dillon Boucher put the Blackhawks ahead 2-1 at 4:19 in the second period, finding a loose puck in front after Connor Mylymok's stuff attempt. Sacha Boisvert made a nifty move to chip the puck past a Wild defender and retrieve it in the near corner.
Sacha Boisvert➡️Connor Mylymok➡️Dillon Boucher🚨
Boucher jams home a loose puck in front to put the #Blackhawks ahead 2-1! pic.twitter.com/iw6qNgLIyM— Talkin' Hawkey (@TalkinHawkey) September 20, 2026
With under six minutes remaining in the third period, the Blackhawks surrendered the game-tying goal to Nico Sturm, leveling the score at 2-2. Sturm got lost in coverage and was all alone at the far post for an easy tap-in. Boisvert didn't provide enough support to his defenseman, Jake Furlong, who was tied up with a Wild forward at the near post.
STURM AT THE BACK 🚪 pic.twitter.com/cp6G3mBv37
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) September 20, 2026
With just over one minute to go in overtime, Hunt got behind Boisvert on the rush and tumbled to the ice while crashing the net. Soderblom made the initial save, but kicked the puck into the crease for a rebound. Hunt appeared to kick the puck in while falling down, but the officials determined after the review it wasn't a distinct motion. 3-2, Wild.
DAEMON. HUNT. GAME. pic.twitter.com/jv94X7FRka
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) September 20, 2026
Had this been a regular-season game, the goal likely gets overturned. It was a brutal way for the Blackhawks to lose, rallying hard in the final 40 minutes of regulation after a sluggish first period.
The Blackhawks will get a chance at revenge on Monday in their first home preseason game at the United Center. The game is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. (CT) and could include most of the NHL roster.
In fact, it could be Patrick Kane 's first (unofficial) game back at the Madhouse on Madison.
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