Hockey in Chicago is a mood. If you were looking for a high-octane offensive explosion at the United Center last night, well, you basically got a defensive chess match that left the home crowd a bit quiet. If you're wondering what is the score for the Blackhawks game, it ended in a 3-1 victory for the Calgary Flames on Thursday night, January 15, 2026.
Honestly, it was one of those games that felt over before the beer lines even got long. The scoring happened so fast in the first period that if you blinked or spent too much time looking for your seat, you missed the meat of the contest.
Breaking Down the 3-1 Scoreline
The Blackhawks started with a spark. Just 2:38 into the opening frame, Captain Nick Foligno found the back of the net. It was a classic veteran play—Foligno buried a wrist shot after some solid work from Colton Dach and Landon Slaggert. The UC was jumping. It felt like the start of a bounce-back performance for a team that had been struggling lately.
Then the wheels kinda came off.
Exactly 36 seconds later, the Flames answered. Yegor Sharangovich capitalized on a power play, snapping one past Spencer Knight to tie it up. Chicago’s penalty kill, which has actually been a bright spot this season (ranked 2nd in the league at 85.14% recently), just couldn't clear the zone in time.
🔗 Read more: Texas vs Oklahoma Football Game: Why the Red River Rivalry is Getting Even Weirder
The Shorthanded Dagger
The real gut punch came at the 6:05 mark of the first period. While Calgary was actually the team playing a man down, Mikael Backlund decided he didn't care about the disadvantage. He intercepted a pass near the blue line, broke away, and beat Knight unassisted.
- First Period Score: 2-1 Calgary.
- Second Period Score: 0-0.
- Third Period Score: 1-0 Calgary (Empty Net).
After that flurry of three goals in the first six minutes, the game turned into a slog. The second period was a ghost town for the scoreboard. Both teams traded chances, but Devin Cooley was a wall for the Flames, finishing with 22 saves.
Connor Bedard and the Offensive Struggle
Look, everyone wants to know how 98 is doing. Connor Bedard returned to the lineup after missing time with an illness, but he looked a little out of sync. He logged over 22 minutes of ice time but finished the night with a minus-2 rating and no points. It’s tough. You could see the frustration. He had three shots on goal, but Calgary’s defense played him tight, never giving him the "home run" lane he usually thrives in.
Chicago was also missing Teuvo Teravainen, who sat out with an upper-body injury. Without that extra playmaking edge, the Blackhawks struggled to sustain pressure. They actually controlled a good chunk of the shot attempts (over 52% at 5-on-5 in the first period), but quality over quantity was the story of the night.
💡 You might also like: How to watch vikings game online free without the usual headache
Why the Score for the Blackhawks Game Matters Right Now
This loss to Calgary wasn't just another tick in the "L" column. It marked the second straight loss to start a crucial four-game homestand. After a nice four-game winning streak earlier in January—including that wild 7-3 blowout of the St. Louis Blues—Chicago has now dropped three of its last four.
The standings are getting crowded. Chicago sits at 19-21-7. They aren't out of the hunt, but these mid-winter points are the ones that haunt you in April.
Key Game Stats from Jan 15, 2026
The box score doesn't always tell the whole story, but here it is:
- Total Shots: Tied at 23-23.
- Hits: Calgary 29, Chicago 11. (Calgary played heavy).
- Faceoff Win %: Chicago won the circle at 54.4%.
- Power Plays: Chicago went 0-for-4. That’s the stat that hurts most.
Calgary’s Mikael Backlund was easily the best player on the ice, finishing with a goal and an assist. For the Hawks, Nick Foligno's early goal was the only highlight in an otherwise muted offensive effort.
📖 Related: Liechtenstein National Football Team: Why Their Struggles are Different Than You Think
What’s Next for the Blackhawks?
The schedule doesn't get any easier. If you're keeping an eye on the calendar, the Blackhawks stay at the United Center to host the Boston Bruins on Saturday, January 17. Following that, they’ve got the Winnipeg Jets coming to town on the 19th.
Basically, the Hawks need to find their scoring touch—and fast. Relying on one goal a game isn't going to cut it against the heavy hitters in the Western Conference.
If you’re heading to the United Center for the next one, keep an eye on the power play units. Head coach Luke Richardson is likely going to shuffle the deck to find some chemistry for Bedard and the top six.
To stay on top of the team's progress, check the official NHL standings or the Blackhawks' team site for real-time updates during the Bruins matchup. You can also catch the next game on CHSN or ESPN+ if you aren't heading to the West Side.