Blackhawks Snap 5-Game Losing Skid With Big 6-3 Win Over the Sharks

The Chicago Blackhawks and the San Jose Sharks squared off for the first of three contests this season on Monday, Feb. 2. It was a much anticipated matchup between dynamic young superstars Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini. But beyond that, both of these squads have a lot of talent and a ton of potential. These are two teams that could be battling each other for years to come.

The Blackhawks got the upper hand in this one, running away with a commanding 6-3 victory. After losing the last five consecutive games, it must have felt good to give the United Center fans something to cheer about. Especially since this was the last game in Chicago until Mar. 6, due to the upcoming Olympic break.

Let’s get to some thoughts and takeaways from this big Blackhawks’ win.

Blackhawks Lines & Pairings vs. Sharks

Frank Nazar – Connor Bedard – Tyler Bertuzzi

Teuvo Teravainen – Ryan Greene – Andre Burakovsky

Ryan Donato – Jason Dickinson – Ilya Mikheyev

Colton Dach – Oliver Moore – Sam Lafferty

Alex Vlasic – Louis Crevier

Wyatt Kaiser – Sam Rinzel

Matt Grzelcyk – Connor Murphy

Spencer Knight/Arvid Soderblom

Scratches: Sam Lafferty, Artyom Levshunov, Nick Foligno (undisclosed injury)

Related – 3 Takeaways From the Blackhawks’ 4-2 loss to the Blue Jackets

This was the same lineup the Blackhawks deployed in their previous contest versus the Columbus Blue Jackets (Jan. 30), with the exception of Colton Dach drawing in on the fourth line instead of Sam Lafferty.

Bedard Snaps Power Play Slump

The Blackhawks were 0-for-26 on the power play over the last 10 games headed into this contest. But they finally snapped out of their slump with a power play goal in the first period against the Sharks.

make that 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞-𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 with a goal for Bedsy 🚨 pic.twitter.com/SUnfMjldl0

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) February 3, 2026

Appropriately, it was Bedard who scored, assisted by Teuvo Teravainen and Tyler Bertuzzi. This was Bedard’s third goal in as many games, and his 23rd tally of the season. He only needs one more goal to surpass his career high of 23 goals.

Blackhawks 2nd Period Scoring Frenzy

Bedard’s power play goal seemingly opened up the floodgates, because the Blackhawks scored four more goals throughout the second period. Defenseman Connor Murphy potted his fourth goal of the season right before Ryan Donato made a beautiful diving play for a goal.

GOAL: Ryan Donato, oh my. What a move to get a quick shot off for his 12th goal of the season pic.twitter.com/zRhaHvmoVn

— BHF (@BlackhawksFocus) February 3, 2026

Then defenseman Sam Rinzel scored his second goal of the season to make it 4-0 for the Blackhawks. This was just Rinzel’s second game back since being recalled from the Rockford IceHogs on Jan. 30.

Related – Blackhawks’ Rinzel Showing Confidence & Growth After Recall

Alas, the Sharks Will Smith and then Celebrini also scored in the second frame, but in between their goals the Blackhawks’ Ilya Mikheyev found the back of the net after a great feed from Jason Dickinson.

The Sharks’ Shakir Mudhamadullin scored in the third period, but then Donato netted his second goal of the night to seal the deal for the Blackhawks.

The Donato-Dickinson-Mikheyev Line Led the Way

The “third” line of Donato, Dickinson and Mikheyev led the charge in this game. First and foremost a shutdown line, they were tasked much of the night with containing the Shark’s top line of Will Smith, Celebrini and Tyler Toffoli. Of which they did a great job; it wasn’t their line that was out for any of the goals against.

But all three of these players have an offensive upside making them a cumulative threat to score, and it showed in this contest. Donato registered two goals and two assists and Mikheyev a goal and three assists, both earning a four-point night. Dickinson was credited with two assists.