Blackhawks Rally, Close Season With Comeback 5-2 Win Over Sharks

Following an auspicious start, the Chicago Blackhawks scored five unanswered goals to overcome a 2-0 deficit and defeat the San Jose Sharks 5-2 at the United Center on Wednesday.

With the win, the Blackhawks officially finish the 2025-26 NHL regular season with a 29-39-14 record, good for 72 points in 82 games. It’s the first time they’ve reached 70 points since the 2019-20 campaign.

After getting booed off the ice during Monday’s lousy 5-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres, where they surrendered five unanswered goals, the Blackhawks got the home crowd back on their side with an impressive finish against the Sharks. Four of their five goals scored in the game occurred in the third period, flipping a 2-1 deficit through 40 minutes into a dominant multi-goal victory. As a result, the Hawks received a standing ovation from the fans on tap for the season finale.

The sellout crowd at the United Center was thrilled to see their squad head into the offseason with some positive momentum. Coming into Wednesday, the Blackhawks had dropped the first three games of their season-ending homestand, and a fourth loss in a row to close out the year would have potentially been catastrophic — especially on the same day that GM Kyle Davidson received a multi-year contract extension.

Chicago’s third-period offensive explosion perhaps saved some uncomfortable questions about the current state of Davidson’s rebuild, although he’s sure to get pressed about the direction of the team during exit interviews on Thursday morning regardless. Still, goals from Louis Crevier (2), Ryan Greene, and Nick Lardis in the final frame lifted the mood, providing a much more pleasant way to wrap up the year.

Other than pride, neither side had anything to play for on Wednesday, but the Blackhawks at least earned some bragging rights in what could become a future rivalry in the Western Conference. Chicago took two of the three meetings against the Sharks in 2025-26, which could give the young group a boost of confidence in where they’re heading. San Jose was close to snapping their long postseason drought this year, and the Blackhawks got the better of them in the season series.

Just another reason to believe that perhaps the turnaround in Chicago isn’t as far away as it seems.

Here are the highlights from the Blackhawks 5-2 win over the Sharks to close out the regular season.

FIRST PERIOD

The Blackhawks didn’t have a single shot on goal at the eight-minute mark of the period, which is when the Sharks opened the scoring. Mario Ferraro’s shot from the right circle deflected off Ethan Del Mastro’s stick and past Spencer Knight at 8:09. 1-0, San Jose.

Pucks 👏 on 👏 net 👏 pic.twitter.com/gAf9eJEqdI

— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) April 16, 2026

Despite an abysmal start from the home side, the Sharks only led 1-0 going into the first intermission. Shots on goal were 7-3 in favor of the visitors.

SECOND PERIOD

With Connor Bedard in the penalty box for the second time, the Sharks converted for a power-play tally early in the second period to double the lead. Michael Misa’s centering feed from down low took a fortuitous bounce and somehow found the back of the net at 5:17. 2-0, San Jose.

7️⃣7️⃣ puts it home on the power play! #TheFutureIsTealpic.twitter.com/aLFFEXJEmu

— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) April 16, 2026

Perhaps the turning point in the Blackhawks’ comeback, Sam Rinzel got his team on the board and cut the deficit in half before the end of the second period. Rinzel fired a shot from a brutal angle that managed to squeak through Sharks’ netminder Yaroslav Askarov at 19:30 for his fourth goal of the season. 2-1.

Andre Burakovsky➡️Ryan Donato➡️Sam Rinzel🚨

Rinzel sneaks home his 4th goal of the season to cut the #Blackhawks deficit to 2-1! Donato extends his point streak to 8 games against the Sharks with the primary assist. pic.twitter.com/R5cXVWUU9N

— Talkin’ Hawkey (@TalkinHawkey) April 16, 2026

With 20 minutes remaining, the Sharks were still ahead 2-1, but the momentum was on Chicago’s side with the crowd back into it. Shots on goal through two periods were tied 13-13.

THIRD PERIOD

In the early stages of the third period, Bedard made a magnificent backhanded saucer pass to find Louis Crevier at the far post for his sixth goal of the season, tying the game 2-2. Crevier snuck backdoor and lifted a shot off the crossbar and in at 3:51.

Connor Bedard➡️Louis Crevier🚨

Bedard finds Crevier with a nasty backhand saucer pass for his 6th goal of the season! #Blackhawks tie the game 2-2 early in the 3rd. Crevier ties Kaiser for the team lead in goals among defensemen. pic.twitter.com/BeTKa0mnDn

— Talkin’ Hawkey (@TalkinHawkey) April 16, 2026

Just a few moments later, Del Mastro set up Ryan Greene for an easy tap-in at the far post to give the Blackhawks a 3-2 lead at 8:35. It was Del Mastro’s first point of the entire season.

Andre Burakovsky➡️Ethan Del Mastro➡️Ryan Greene🚨

Del Mastro sets up Greene for his 12th goal of the season to put the #Blackhawks ahead 3-2! Del Mastro records his 1st point of the year with the primary assist. Burakovsky with his 2nd helper of the game. pic.twitter.com/xGUvequMsj

— Talkin’ Hawkey (@TalkinHawkey) April 16, 2026

The Blackhawks’ offense didn’t stop there, as Crevier wired his second goal of the game and seventh of the season at 10:32 for a fourth unanswered goal. With that tally, Crevier officially finished the year as the team’s leading goal-scorer among defensemen. 4-2, Chicago.

Tyler Bertuzzi➡️Louis Crevier🚨

Crevier belts a shot from the point for his 2nd goal of the game & 7th of the season! #Blackhawks extend the lead to 4-2. Crevier now leads all defensemen on the team in goals. pic.twitter.com/Jw8Zzmckbu

— Talkin’ Hawkey (@TalkinHawkey) April 16, 2026

Adding the cherry on top was rookie Nick Lardis, rifling a one-timer from the slot at 14:44 for the Blackhawks’ FIFTH unanswered goal. Bedard registered his second primary helper of the night with another beautiful backhanded pass. With the goal, Lardis finishes the year with 10 goals in 41 games. A 20-goal pace over an 82-game pace. 5-2.

Wyatt Kaiser➡️Connor Bedard➡️Nick Lardis🚨

Bedard makes another great feed on the backhand to find Lardis for his 10th goal of the season! Double digits for 76! 2nd primary assist of the game for Bedard. 5-2 #Blackhawks. pic.twitter.com/YEgJUV15BK

— Talkin’ Hawkey (@TalkinHawkey) April 16, 2026

The final horn sounded at the United Center, and all the Blackhawks fans in attendance were on their feet to congratulate their team on earning a win in the final game of the season. That’s all she wrote, folks.

HAWKS WIN! 5-2 FINAL.#Blackhawks close out the season on a high note. Feels REAL good to score 5 unanswered & win after allowing 5 unanswered & losing on Monday.

Hawks finish the year 29-39-14 for 72 points. First time hitting 70 since the 2019-20 campaign. See ya next year!✌️ pic.twitter.com/CHegsIceqt

— Jack Bushman (@JackBushman2) April 16, 2026

Time for offseason content to begin!

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