5 Takeaways From the Blackhawks’ 3-1 Win Over the Penguins

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The Chicago Blackhawks finally earned a much-desired win Sunday night (Apr. 6), defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins by a score of 3-1 at the United Center. It was their first win since Mar. 23rd, having dropped five games since then, and it was just their second victory in the last 14 contests.

Yeah, it hasn’t been pretty down the stretch here this season. As a matter of fact, it hasn’t been pretty most of the 2024-25 campaign. Which is why we get pretty excited around these parts when the Blackhawks actually prevail!

Related – Mikheyev & Nazar Lead Blackhawks to 3-1 Victory Over Penguins

But the team is finally taking strides in the right direction, starting with the youth that’s been slowing infused into the lineup throughout the season. With that in mind, let’s look at five takeaways from this feel-good win.

Nazar Scores Shorthanded Goal

21-year-old Frank Nazar got the scoring started in this one; on a Penguins’ power play, no less! The Hawks and Pens exchanged chances throughout the first period, with Pittsburgh holding a slight advantage in shots and shot attempts. It felt like they might finally break the Blackhawks when they were awarded a power play at the beginning of the second period. But Nazar took matters into his own hands and promptly flipped the script.

He stripped the puck along the boards, passed it to Teuvo Teravainen and then turned on the jets to receive the feed for a breakaway goal. This was the fourth shorthanded goal on the season for the Blackhawks, with Ilya Mikheyev has been responsible for the first three. Now Nazar has the honors for the fourth.

Nazar joined the Blackhawks from the Rockford IceHogs on Dec. 14, and while his talent and energy was apparent right away, he had a rather slow start production-wise. But it appears the Detroit native is finally putting it all together. He has two goals and four points in his last three games, and this was the first shorthanded goal of his career.

Frank Nazar Chicago Blackhawks
Frank Nazar is starting to heat up for Chicago Blackhawks. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

His speed, tenacity and playmaking abilities are more and more noticeable every game, and Nazar now boasts nine goals and 21 points on the season. He certainly has the potential to be a special player in the NHL for years to come.

Rinzel Earns 1st NHL Point

The Blackhawks’ second goal was special in a couple different ways. Let’s start with defenseman Sam Rinzel, who was playing in just his fourth NHL contest since signing an entry-level contract with the Blackhawks on Mar. 28. Rinzel and his teammate, forward Oliver Moore, both joined the Blackhawks immediately after their University of Minnesota Golden Gophers were eliminated in this year’s NCAA Semifinals by the University of Minnesota.

Rinzel, especially, had an impressive NHL debut with the Blackhawks, registering four shots on goal, six shot attempts and two hits in a healthy 20:15 minutes of ice time. He’s since been promoted to the top defensive pairing and to the quarterback on the top power play unit.

The 20-year-old earned his first NHL point by providing the secondary assist on the goal below.

Rinzel is calm under pressure and does the work in the defensive zone to flip the puck up to Connor Bedard, who springs Mikheyev for the goal.

Although it’s a small sample size, Rinzel has certainly impressed, and looks ready for the NHL. So much so, many pundits feel he’ll never play a game in the AHL.

I guess we’ll find out next season during training camp.

Bedard Joins History for Teenage Players With 60th Point

Bedard’s primary assist on the above goal was his 40th season assist and 60th point. He now becomes the 11th teenager in NHL history with multiple 60-point seasons, joining the likes of Sidney Crosby and Patrik Laine. Furthermore, he’s now the third teenager in Blackhawks’ history to record 40 assists in a season, joining Patrick Kane and Eddie Olczyk.

Connor Bedard Chicago Blackhawks
Connor Bedard scored his 60th point of the 2024-25 season in the contest versus the Pittsburgh Penguins on Apr. 6. (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

The 19-year-old tallied 22 goals and 39 assists for 61 points in his rookie season, despite missing 14 games due to a broken jaw. He currently sits at 20 goals and 40 assists for 60 points in this 2024-25 campaign, with five games to go. He’s contributed four helpers in the last five games.

While many would say Bedard is having a rather disappointing second season, this is all still quite an accomplishment.

Mikheyev Nets 19th & 20th Goal of the Season

The goal where Rinzel earned his first NHL point and Bedard his 60th season point was scored by Mikheyev. But it turns out this was just his first goal of the game. He also potted the empty net goal to seal the deal and give the Blackhawks the 3-1 win.

These were the 30-year-old’s 19th and 20th goals of the season. Mikheyev has been a very pleasant surprise this season, offering his defensive prowess as well as a nice offensive flair. He’s been used mostly on the shutdown third line, and is a major contributor on the penalty kill. As mentioned above, he’s scored three shorthanded goals this season.

Related – Blackhawks’ 3 Up, 3 Down: The Youth Movement, Power Play Woes & More

But Mikheyev also has used his speed and smart play to contribute most recently on the top line for the Blackhawks. He’s recorded five goals and eight points in his last eight games. The Russian’s career-high in goals is 21, scored as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2021-22 season. I’d wager he can exceed that by the end of this campaign.

Knight Held Strong

This contest was the third consecutive start for goaltender Spencer Knight, acquired at the trade deadline from the Florida Panthers as part of the Seth Jones trade. He hasn’t had the best time of it lately, as he’s struggled to get acclimated with his new team. I’m sure it must be quite the culture shock to come from a playoff team to a squad that’s 31st in the league. Not to mention a young defensive corps that’s light years behind the established Panthers’ blue line.

But the 23-year-old has also put together some really solid efforts, showing why he could be the netminder of the future for the Blackhawks. This was one of those efforts. Knight stopped 28-of-29 shots for a .966 save percentage in the win; many of which were high quality saves. He definitely kept the Blackhawks in the game, giving them a chance to win. Here’s more from Knight after the game.

The Blackhawks’ young goalie seems mature beyond his years, and he certainly brings the right attitude. He speaks of “going through stretches of good and bad, whether you’re in first place or last place.” Well, it sure would be nice to have a good stretch here for the last five games of the season.

Related – Chicago Blackhawks’ 3 Stars for March

This was a great team win where everyone pulled together and played their role effectively. It’s also encouraging to note that, with the exception of the veteran Mikheyev, every player highlighted above is a new, young player who looks to be an integral part of the Blackhawks’ future.

The Blackhawks are just getting started.

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