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Chicago Blackhawks News

Knight (illness) will not play against the Capitals on Friday.

Knight's absence on Friday night was a big surprise after he was previously confirmed to start the game earlier in the day. Arvid Soderblom is also out with an illness, so Drew Commesso, a 23-year-old with just two NHL appearances to his name, will get the call between the pipes.

Spencer Knight
Commesso will start against the Capitals on Friday.

The illness that's ravaging Chicago's dressing room has apparently reached both Arvid Soderblom and Spencer Knight, as both will be unavailable for Friday's game against the Capitals. Chicago will be forced to turn to Commesso between the pipes, who was recalled from Rockford (AHL) earlier in the day. Commesso has just two NHL appearances to his name, though the 23-year-old does have a .909 SV% in 19 AHL games this season. Chicago enters action on Friday at +110 on the money line.

Drew Commesso
Soderblom (illness) is questionable vs. Washington on Friday.

Spencer Knight was already confirmed for Friday's game against the Washington Capitals, but his backup goalie remains uncertain as Soderblom is battling an illness. Drew Commesso has been recalled from Rockford (AHL) to serve as Knight's backup on Friday if Soderblom is unable to dress.

Arvid Soderblom
Knight will start vs. Washington on Friday.

The Blackhawks are on a four-game winning streak and will turn to Knight on Friday against the Washington Capitals. The 24-year-old Knight was excellent against the Capitals earlier this month, saving 32 of 34 shots (.941 SV%) in a 3-2 shootout win. Knight has a solid 2.62 GAA and .910 SV% in 30 games this season (13-11-6). The Blackhawks enter Friday's contest as +114 home underdogs against a Capitals team that is 3-5-2 in their last 10 games.

Spencer Knight
Mikheyev missed morning skate due to illness and is a game-time decision vs. Washington on Friday.

With an illness circulating around the Blackhawks' dressing room, several players, including Mikheyev, will be game-time decisions on Friday against the Washington Capitals. The 31-year-old Mikheyev has 14 points (8G / 6A) in 39 games this season.

Ilya Mikheyev
Foligno missed morning skate due to illness and will be a game-time decision vs. Washington on Friday.

With an illness circulating around the Blackhawks' dressing room, several players, including Foligno, will be game-time decisions on Friday against the Washington Capitals. The 38-year-old Foligno has eight points (1G / 7A) in 21 games this season.

Nick Foligno
Bedard (shoulder) will return vs. Washington on Friday.

After playing below expectations in 2024-25, Bedard was showing why he was a first-overall draft pick with his impressive play this season, scoring an impressive 44 points (19G / 25A) in 31 games. The 20-year-old has not played since December 12th and will draw back into the lineup on Friday against the Washington Capitals, looking to pick up where he left off before his injury.

Connor Bedard
Knight is warming up in the starter's crease at Chicago's morning skate.

The Blackhawks are on a four-game winning streak and will likely turn to Knight on Friday against the Washington Capitals. The 24-year-old Knight was excellent against the Capitals earlier this month, saving 32 of 34 shots (.941 SV%) in a 3-2 shootout win. Knight has a solid 2.62 GAA and .910 SV% in 30 games this season (13-11-6). The Blackhawks enter Friday's contest as +114 home underdogs against a Capitals team that is 3-5-2 in their last 10 games.

Spencer Knight
Chicago has acquired Ryan Ellis, Jake Furlong, and a 2028 4th round pick from San Jose for Laurent Brossoit, Nolan Allan and a 2028 7th round pick.

Ellis is in the 7th year of an eight-year, $50 million contract, but is not eligible to play due to a significant back injury, making this trade a salary dump for San Jose. Ellis's last NHL appearance was in the 2021-22 season.

Ryan Ellis
Chicago has acquired Jake Furlong, Ryan Ellis and a 2028 4th round pick from San Jose for Laurent Brossoit, Nolan Allan and a 2028 7th round pick.

Furlong was drafted in the fifth round by the San Jose Sharks in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. The 21-year-old defenseman has two assists in 12 games with the San Jose Barracuda (AHL) this season and has yet to play an NHL game.

Jake Furlong