The Chicago Blackhawks finally returned to the United Center on Tuesday, and the timing of their home opener against the St. Louis Blues mattered more than usual. Chicago entered the matchup 0-3 after losing three road contests to Vegas, Utah and Buffalo, leaving the Blackhawks still searching for their first win of the 2026-27 season.
That made Blues vs Blackhawks more than just an early divisional game. For Chicago, it was a chance to stop the slide before the schedule quickly moved on to another challenge. On Thursday, the Blackhawks were set to face the New York Islanders on Long Island, and then they would begin seven straight games at home.
Why this game mattered for Chicago
The home opener gave Chicago a chance to reset after a difficult opening week. The Blackhawks had already played three road games without getting the result they wanted, so the meeting with St. Louis arrived as an important early marker for a young season that needed some positive momentum.
The matchup also came against a Blues team that had already shown it could make life difficult. St. Louis shut out the Dallas Stars in its opener before losing to the Colorado Avalanche, so the Blues arrived in Chicago with one solid win already in hand and the benefit of a more settled early-season start.
Chicago also had to contend with Jordan Binnington, who has long been a tough matchup for the Blackhawks. Binnington owned an 11-3-1 career record against Chicago, a reminder that this series has often tilted in St. Louis' favor when he is in goal.
What comes next for the Blackhawks
The next few days shaped up as a key stretch for Chicago. After the game against the Blues, the Blackhawks were scheduled to visit the Islanders on Thursday, with Ilya Sorokin or Semyon Varlamov potentially in net. Then came the start of a seven-game home stand, beginning with Carolina on Saturday.
That run at home offered Chicago a chance to settle in after three straight road losses and build some much-needed traction. But first, the Blackhawks had to answer the most immediate question: whether the home opener against the Blues could deliver their first win of the season.
