Home ice offers familiarity, but for the Chicago Blackhawks, it also offers opportunity.
The Blackhawks’ next six games will be played at the United Center, giving the team a break from the road. Fans haven’t had much to celebrate, with five losses and their captain, Connor Bedard, still out. This is their chance to turn things around.
This homestand could be just what the team needs to break out of its funk, especially if Bedard returns early.
United Center Could Provide Much-Needed Spark
Chicago is at the bottom of the Central Division with only one win in their first six games. In the entire NHL, they are one of five teams with one win or fewer. The first chunk of their season started sloppily, and they need to turn things around if they want to be part of the postseason.
The next few weeks are a great opportunity for the Blackhawks to find their spark. The majority of their October schedule is at home, aside from two games at the end of the month. If there was ever a time to build momentum, it is now, with a packed United Center rooting for them.
Something is clearly missing in the Blackhawks’ game plan. In their previous games, there is a sense of frazzlement and a lack of poise on the ice. They got a bit of a breather in the second and third periods against the Blues last week, but still faced pressure during a late effort by St. Louis.
Being in familiar surroundings, with thousands of fans backing them, could shift the team’s energy. While playing at home versus away didn’t really make a difference last season for the Blackhawks, the same routine and home crowd for the next six games could help build confidence.
Same bed, same city, same ice. That’s what the Blackhawks have until the end of the month. Chicago’s fanbase ranks among the best in the country, and this season has seen that excitement show up in ticket sales thanks to Patrick Kane‘s return.
Kane himself said Chicago fans “make the United Center the best building in hockey.” He’s not the only one from the 2010s Blackhawks dynasty to praise the fanbase. Jonathan Toews spoke sentimentally when he returned last season as a Winnipeg Jet, saying Chicago “will always be home and has a special place in my heart.”
Toews proved his point when he came to support his former teammate in their game against the Blues, even stopping by a morning skate to share a moment with Bedard.
If the Blackhawks can use this home stretch to their advantage, it can set them on the right path. They badly need the wins and the points.
Testing Kyle Davidson’s Rebuild
General Manager Kyle Davidson has been rebuilding for quite some time now. With all the moves he made over the past year, this season’s results are critical to showing whether Davidson’s decisions are panning out.
New addition Anton Frondell is already showing his worth. Frondell made his NHL debut with Chicago last March, earning nine points in his first 12 games. This season, he’s gotten four points, with a goal and three assists across five games. He is quickly becoming a young player others can rely on.
Other depth players still must improve meaningfully to help change the trajectory of the 2026-27 season. Players like Nick Lardis, Bowen Byram, Roman Kantserov, and Artyom Levshunov haven’t made as big of an impact as Frondell in the first few games.
Aside from Lardis’s two assists, Levshunov’s one assist, and Kantserov’s one goal, all four players have a negative plus-minus. While most of the team is in the same predicament, guys like Byram and Levshunov, who average more shifts per game than most of their teammates, must step up.
Obviously, rebuilds take time. Kane won his first Stanley Cup by the end of his third year, but that was with strong supporting players like Patrick Sharp and Duncan Keith already acquainted with the program.
That is why it is so important for these young guys to build a rhythm with one another. It’s nice to have Bedard to turn to in times of trouble, but that’s not always a possibility. This homestand is a good chance for Davidson’s rebuild to show improvement, and could be the stage for Bedard’s return.
Bedard’s recovery timeline suggested he could return in November, but he might be back sooner than expected. The Chicago captain joined full-contact practice on Sunday and came away from it saying he “felt really good.” Bedard will make his season debut tonight.
Regardless, the younger cast must step up and take on bigger roles. Fans have been listening to the rebuild conversation for a while. It would be rewarding to see the pieces start coming together.
Consistency is Key During the Homestand
The start of the season was… not so pretty. Granted, the Blackhawks had a tough schedule, just hosting the reigning champions and hitting the road out west before that.
Consistently having fewer shots on goal isn’t doing them any favors. These third-period adrenaline boosts need to be more than that. Instead of having a strong 20 minutes, Chicago needs a strong 60 minutes. Increased shot volume, steady offensive pressure, and a measured approach to the 200-foot game are all things that need to be consistent if the Hawks intend to turn it around.
Against the Hurricanes on Saturday, Chicago had only 13 shots on goal across the first two periods; that’s less than what the Hurricanes had in just one. In the third, the Blackhawks had 13 shots on goal compared to Carolina’s nine. The same thing happened in Vegas, too.
Maybe being at home over the next few weeks will help Chicago avoid these slow starts. Maybe they will finally find consistency in their plays. Bedard’s recovery may also be the spark this young team needs to get going.
The Blackhawks can only go up from here. During this homestand, Chicago will face competitive teams, but this routine may be just what they need. Tune in tonight at 7 pm CST to watch Chicago face the Pittsburgh Penguins.
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