Honestly, it’s about time we stopped pretending the Central Division is just about Dallas or Colorado. If you watched the game on November 26, 2025, you saw exactly why. Kirill Kaprizov basically sucked the air out of the United Center with that overtime winner, and the energy in that building felt like 2014 all over again. The Wild vs Chicago Blackhawks matchup has spent a few years in the "rebuilding" doldrums, but something has shifted.
It’s personal now.
For a long time, Blackhawks fans didn't really think about Minnesota. Why would they? Chicago was winning Cups, and Minnesota was just the team they brushed aside in the playoffs three years in a row from 2013 to 2015. But the script has flipped. Now, you’ve got a Minnesota team that’s legitimately dangerous, headlined by a superstar like Kaprizov, facing off against a Chicago squad that finally has its cornerstone in Connor Bedard.
The Bedard vs Kaprizov Factor
You can’t talk about the current state of the Wild vs Chicago Blackhawks without mentioning the star power. It’s the engine driving the rivalry right now.
In that November matchup, Bedard was everywhere. He notched a goal and an assist, looking every bit like the "franchise savior" the North Side needs. He’s got this weird ability to find space where there shouldn't be any. But Minnesota has their own cheat code. Kaprizov’s overtime goal—his 14th of the season at the time—was a reminder that he’s currently one of the few players in the world who can decide a game whenever he feels like it.
It's not just them, though.
Chicago’s Artyom Levshunov, the second overall pick from 2024, finally got his first career goal in that game. It was a slick backhand that temporarily gave the Hawks a 3-2 lead in the third. On the other side, Brock Faber has turned into a legitimate monster on the blue line for Minnesota. Watching Faber try to shut down Bedard for the next ten years is going to be peak hockey.
Why This Rivalry Actually Matters (Again)
For a while, the "rivalry" was basically Minnesota being a punching bag. If you were a Wild fan during the Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews era, you probably still have nightmares about Corey Crawford making 40 saves a night.
That history hasn't been forgotten.
📖 Related: Johnny Manziel Money Bar Photos: What Really Happened in Vegas and College Station
When Marcus Foligno drops the gloves or Jason Middleton gets into it with someone like Nick Foligno (yes, the brother vs. brother dynamic is still a weirdly fun subplot), it’s because these teams genuinely don't like each other. The geography helps. You've got fans from both sides constantly crossing the border. It’s only about a six-hour drive between the Xcel Energy Center and the United Center. You’ll see plenty of green jerseys in Chicago and red sweaters in St. Paul.
The Quinn Hughes Shift
Here’s a detail that doesn’t get enough credit: the Wild landing Quinn Hughes.
Adding an elite, puck-moving defenseman of that caliber changed the geometry of how Minnesota plays against Chicago’s speed. It’s no longer just a "grit and grind" game for the Wild. They can skate with anyone now. Hughes and Faber on the same roster feels like an embarrassment of riches, and it’s made the head-to-head stats lean heavily in Minnesota’s favor lately.
But Chicago is catching up.
✨ Don't miss: Is the Adidas Ultraboost 5x Actually Better? What Runners Should Know
They’ve been aggressive in free agency and trades, recently grabbing guys like Ryan Ellis to stabilize a very young defensive core. They aren't the walk-over team they were two seasons ago. They're scrappy. They're fast. And they're annoying to play against.
Head-to-Head: The Numbers Don't Lie
If you look at the 2025-26 season results so far, Minnesota has the upper hand. That 4-3 OT win in November was a statement. Minnesota trailed 2-0 deep into the second period, but they didn't panic. That’s the difference between a veteran-heavy playoff contender and a team that’s still learning how to close.
- Last Meeting: November 26, 2025 (Wild 4, Blackhawks 3 - OT)
- Standout Performer: Matt Boldy (1 goal, 2 assists in the last meeting)
- Goaltending: Filip Gustavsson has been a wall, stopping 34 of 37 shots in the most recent clash.
Chicago’s Spencer Knight has been solid, but he’s often left out to dry when the Hawks' young D-zone coverage breaks down. The Wild have a knack for exploiting those 20-year-old mistakes.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Matchup
There’s this narrative that the Wild are "boring" and the Blackhawks are "rebuilding."
That’s old news.
Minnesota is currently 26-13-9 as of mid-January 2026. They are high-event. They score in bunches. Meanwhile, Chicago is finally turning the corner from "tanking" to "competing." They aren't just playing for draft picks anymore; they’re playing to win games and build a culture around Bedard.
When these two meet on January 27 and again in March, don't expect a low-scoring trap game. Expect a lot of penalties, some questionable hits, and probably a few highlight-reel goals from the 97 and 98 jersey wearers.
Looking Ahead: Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're heading to a game or betting on the next Wild vs Chicago Blackhawks showdown, keep a few things in mind:
- Watch the Power Play: In their last meeting, Minnesota’s power play was the difference-maker. If Chicago can’t stay out of the box, Kaprizov and Boldy will eat them alive.
- Home Ice Disadvantage?: Weirdly, these teams often play better in the opponent's building. The "Border Battle" energy seems to fuel the road team.
- The Olympic Factor: With the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina looming, keep an eye on players like Faber, Boldy, and Bedard. They aren't just playing for NHL points; they're playing for roster spots and pride on the world stage.
If you want to catch the next installment, the Wild host the Hawks at the X on January 27, 2026. Given how the last game ended, expect some carryover. The "little brother" from Minnesota has grown up, and the "dynasty" in Chicago is trying to rise from the ashes. It’s the best kind of hockey drama.
Check the secondary market early for tickets; the United Center has been hovering near 100% capacity for these division matchups lately, and the "State of Hockey" never leaves an empty seat when Chicago comes to town.
Keep an eye on the injury report for Connor Bedard as the season progresses, as his presence completely dictates how the Wild approach their defensive pairings. If he’s on the ice, expect a heavy dose of Brock Faber. If he’s out, Minnesota tends to play a much more open, aggressive style. Either way, the days of skipping this game on the calendar are officially over.