The Chicago Blackhawks hosted the Ottawa Senators at the United Center on Tuesday night (October 28), and it was a night to remember for the Blackhawks. They won the match by an impressive score of 7-3, and now improve to a commendable 5-3-2 in their first ten matches of the 2025-2026 season.
It was another statement victory for these Blackhawks, who also scored eight goals in a dominant 8-3 victory over the St. Louis Blues on October 15. These two matches were absolute victories. But this young team also came out on top in many close games. They come together as a team and find ways to win. This was also an evening with many individual milestones. Let’s celebrate all the fun that was encapsulated in this match.
Dach scores first goal of the season
Colton Dach got the scoring started in the first period. He was in the right place at the right time to tap in the rebound from a shot by defender Louis Crevier.
Colton Dach clears the rebound after a delayed penalty for his first goal of the season. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/z4G9BHuyXL
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) October 29, 2025
It was Dach’s first goal of the season, despite numerous chances in the first nine games. The 22-year-old played in 25 games last season and contributed two goals and seven points. But this is the first season he’s been considered an everyday player outside of training camp for the Blackhawks.
Dach has a unique skill set in that he brings size and physicality to the table, along with a good amount of skill. The Blackhawks want him to be a forward for the team. Head coach Jeff Blashill was especially complimentary of Dach’s last few games.
I really liked the last game (against the LA Kings on October 26), his first period. I thought he did a lot of things that power forwards do. Tonight he was at the net; he has been very physical.
Blashill went on to say that Dach is at the top of the NHL in hits. He currently ranks sixth in the league, with 44 goals.
Foligno reaches 600 NHL points
Blackhawks captain Nick Foligno was credited with the secondary assist on Dach’s goal, which turned out to be his 600th NHL point. The 37-year-old is in his 19th season in the league, but he has certainly not lost his passion for the game. Foligno seems to be having a lot of fun leading the group of these young Blackhawks and watching them grow and improve.
Foligno spent most of his post-game media availability singing the praises of Bedard and the group as a whole. He said they are all hungry to be part of building the Blackhawks.
Speaking of hungry, the Blackhawks hit the road for a six-game road trip, starting Thursday against the Winnipeg Jets. Foligno, always one for levity, joked about missing Halloween with his kids.
I’m angry that I miss trick-or-treating with my kids; I’m not gonna lie. I have to talk to the NHL about the possibility of me going trick-or-treating, and it’s also my birthday!
Yes, Foligno turns 38 next Friday and will certainly be the old man of the team at that point. By the way, his favorite candy is a Reese’s peanut butter cup. Maybe some of the “kids” on the team can treat him to his favorite candy.
Crevier’s first career multi-point game
We already talked about Crevier’s primary assist on Dach’s first goal of the season. But the towering 6-foot-4 blueliner wasn’t done there yet. He also scored his second goal of the season to give the Blackhawks a 2–0 lead.
right on target🎯 pic.twitter.com/ypmupBbr26
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) October 29, 2025
I love the way Crevier pats everyone on the head after his goal, while towering over all his teammates.
The 24-year-old has found his feet with the Blackhawks this season. Blashill has gone through eight of the team’s 10 games with a lineup of 11 forwards and seven defensemen. This is to compensate for the inexperience on the blue line of many young D-men. But it is also proof of the confidence that the head coach has in Crevier. He likes Crevier’s penalty-killing skills, as well as his availability to balance the minutes among right-handed defenders.
Bedard’s 50th NHL goal
This was clearly the big news of the evening. Bedard then scored on the power play to give the Blackhawks a 3-0 lead. It was his 49th NHL goal. But early in the second frame, he got the job done to become the seventh Blackhawks franchise player to score 50 goals before the age of 21. He joins Eddie Olczyk, Jeremy Roenick, Jonathan Toews, Bobby Hull, Denis Savard and Patrick Kane in this milestone.
what, like it’s hard? 🤷♂️ pic.twitter.com/GyEBuTvKt8
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) October 29, 2025
Bedard certainly made this one look easy, with a beautiful zone entry and then a sneaky snap for the finish. It’s clear the 20-year-old is becoming increasingly comfortable and confident, and his elite talent is coming through. Which leads to the next milestone.
Bedard records first hat trick of his career
After Bedard’s goal in the second period, the Blackhawks took their foot off the gas a bit. The Senators clawed their way back into the game, outscoring Chicago 9-5 in the frame and scoring three unanswered goals, to make it 4-3 when the buzzer sounded. Would the Blackhawks let a 4-0 lead slip through their fingers?!
Not this time. Bedard comes to the rescue again!
Connor Bedard. First career NHL hat trick. And it’s raining hats at the United Center. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/kI4rRi0zna
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) October 29, 2025
The irony here is that the goal happened so quickly that you barely see it. Ryan Greene won the face-off and Bedard immediately put it away with a nasty wrister. By the way, this was Greene’s first NHL assist, in addition to his first NHL goal (on October 15 against the Blues).
Related – Ryan Greene makes the most of opportunities with Blackhawks
According to Natural statistical trickGreene spent 11:06 minutes on the top line with Bedard and Andre Burakovsky in this match. He also won 3 of 6 face-offs (including the one above) for a 50% success rate. Kudos to the 22-year-old for making the most of his opportunity!
Donato reaches 100 points with Blackhawks
The Blackhawks continued to increase the scoring from here, with a goal from Ryan Donato and then Frank Nazar’s short empty-net goal (the Blackhawks and Nazar’s first shorty of the season, by the way). Donato’s tally was his 100th goal as a Blackhawk. It was also assisted by Bedard, his fourth point of the evening.
Donato’s 100th point as Blackhawk🥲 pic.twitter.com/zfKMLD9sJG
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) October 29, 2025
Donato had a career year with the Blackhawks last season, scoring 31 goals and 62 points. Many wondered if that was just a lucky season and he won’t be able to put up those kinds of numbers again. Well, Donato does his best to quell that sentiment. Through 10 games, he has already scored six goals and eight points, for a pace of 66 points in 82 games.
Related – Q&A with Blackhawks difference maker Ryan Donato
Donato’s continued offseason focus on improving his speed and overall game appears to be paying off once again.
Other Blackhawks tidbits
As if all these milestones weren’t enough, here are a few more tidbits from this competition.
Sam Lafferty suited up for this match, but it was only his second appearance in ten games. He was especially brought back into focus as insurance in case some younger players weren’t ready. Fortunately for the Blackhawks, but unfortunately for Lafferty, the kids have proven ready. Nevertheless, this was Lafferty’s 100th game as a Blackhawk.
Tonight’s match is Sam Lafferty’s 100th as a Blackhawk!💯 pic.twitter.com/ugzwlZVG6N
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) October 29, 2025
Lafferty played a team-low 9:55 minutes in this match; 2:24 of that was on the penalty kill. Only time will tell how much Lafferty’s services will be needed in the future.
After struggling power play in recent games, the Blackhawks placed Burakovsky (replacing Teuvo Teravainen) on the top PP unit and moved Bedard to the right side. This power play goal immediately made the score 3-0.
what a snipe😮💨 pic.twitter.com/lMj068bJ4R
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) October 29, 2025
I already mentioned Nazar’s short and empty net goal to put this match away. He also scored the secondary assist on Bedard’s power-play goal above. This is just the beginning of what appears to be a promising breakout campaign for the 21-year-old. In the last four games he has scored three goals and five points. He has five goals and eleven points this season.
Related – Nick, Blackhawks’ Bedard & Nazar embrace leadership roles
Things certainly look good for the Blackhawks. They will now take their 5-3-2 record into a long six-game trip against four Canadian teams, the Seattle Kraken and the Detroit Red Wings. Can they continue their hot hand down the road? It will be a good benchmark for this team to prove that their current winning ways are not a fluke.
#Blackhawks #reach #milestones #big #win #Senators #Hockey #Writers #Chicago #Blackhawks #Latest #News #Analysis