Chicago and Washington meet for the second time in under a week, with the Blackhawks riding a four-game win streak and Connor Bedard returning to the lineup.
Game time
- Date: Friday, January 9, 2026
- Puck drop: 7:00 PM CT (Chicago) / 8:00 PM ET
- Venue: United Center, Chicago
For the most reliable live listing (start time, TV coverage, and game hub), use the NHL Gamecenter page .
How to watch Blackhawks vs Capitals
- TV (local): CHSN
- TV (national): NHL Network
- Radio (Chicago area): AM 720 WGN
What happened last time (and why this rematch matters)
The teams are facing off for the second time in less than a week. Last Saturday, Chicago defeated Washington in a long shootout, with Nick Foligno scoring the winner for the Blackhawks.
Since that game, the Blackhawks haven’t lost and remain unbeaten in 2026. They are 5-1-1 since the holiday break and have won four straight. A win Friday would give Chicago five consecutive victories.
Washington, meanwhile, is in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race — tied for the final Wild Card spot, but sitting below the line due to tiebreakers. One win can swing positioning quickly in a crowded conference.
Connor Bedard returns from injury
The biggest boost for Chicago: Connor Bedard is set to return after missing time since December 12. He suffered a shoulder injury on a late-game face-off in his last appearance.
In 31 games this season, Bedard has 19 goals and 25 assists for 44 points. Individual milestones are still possible, but the priority now is staying healthy and helping Chicago keep winning.
Bedard’s return also comes after he was left off Team Canada’s initial Olympic roster. He addressed it professionally, and the situation adds extra spotlight as he steps back into NHL action.
Scouting Washington: Ovechkin, Carlson, and Leonard
Washington still revolves around Alex Ovechkin. After more than two decades as one of the faces of the NHL, he’s set to appear at the United Center as the league’s all-time leading goal-scorer, having passed Wayne Gretzky’s mark last spring. Even at 40, Ovechkin remains lethal if given space — Chicago must close lanes quickly.
On the blue line, John Carlson continues to drive play at 35, whether it’s as a power-play quarterback or helping Washington’s forwards create at even strength.
A rising threat to track: Ryan Leonard, the former Boston College standout and Team USA World Juniors name, who scored in last Saturday’s meeting and will look to do damage again.
Projected lineup: Washington Capitals
Forwards
- Ovechkin – Strome – Beauvillier
- McMichael – Sourdif – Leonard
- Duhaime – Dowd – Frank
- Milano – Lapierre – Leason
Defense
- Fehervary – Carlson
- Chychrun – Roy
- Sandin – McIlrath
Goalies
- Logan Thompson (projected starter)
- Charlie Lindgren
If Thompson gets the nod, it will be Chicago’s second straight game against a Team Canada Olympic goalie, and a more difficult assignment than the last matchup in net.
Projected lineup: Chicago Blackhawks (latest available info)
Chicago’s morning skate was impacted by illness. Ilya Mikheyev, Arvid Soderblom, and Nick Foligno were absent due to a flu bug circulating in the room, and the staff won’t know who is available until later in the day. Final lines may not be confirmed until warmups.
- Connor Bedard: expected to return and resume his role as top-line center and a primary driver on the power play.
- Nick Foligno: illness status to monitor (he scored the shootout winner in the last meeting).
- Arvid Soderblom: illness status to monitor.
- Ilya Mikheyev: illness status to monitor.
- Goalie: Spencer Knight is expected to start with a game in Nashville on Saturday.
Bottom line: the exact forward lines and pairings may shift late, but Bedard’s return adds high-end offense to a group that has been winning without its top centers.
What to watch for
- Bedard’s timing early: how quickly he settles in after weeks out.
- Ovechkin coverage: any open space can become a one-touch goal.
- Special teams: Carlson-led power play vs Chicago’s penalty kill.
- Late scratches: illness could change matchups and minutes.
If Chicago keeps its defensive detail and gets an early spark from Bedard, the Blackhawks have a real chance to stretch this run to five straight and keep the United Center buzzing.
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