Blackhawks Collapse in Third Period, Ruining Drew Commesso’s NHL Debut

The rookie goaltender shone early, but Chicago’s defensive lapses led to a 4-1 loss to the Devils.

Drew Commesso made 20 saves in his first NHL start, showing promise despite a challenging third period where he faced multiple breakdowns by the defense.
The Blackhawks led 1-0 going into the third period but conceded three goals in just over two minutes, continuing a season-long trend of late-game collapses.
Chicago’s penalty kill remained a bright spot, extending its streak to 21 consecutive successful kills over eight games, including shutting down the league-leading Devils power play.
Young defenseman Wyatt Kaiser’s critical turnover during a prolonged defensive shift led to the Devils’ go-ahead goal, highlighting the team’s struggles with fatigue and decision-making under pressure.
Interim coach Anders Sorensen’s system adjustments have shown potential, but the team’s fragile mindset and inability to manage adversity have kept them at the bottom of the NHL standings.