Blackhawks vs. Wild

The Minnesota Wild enter preseason matchups against the Chicago Blackhawks with a stronger recent foundation after finishing third in the Central Division during the 2025-26 season. Key factors include multiple Wild injury concerns heading into training camp, such as goaltender Filip Gustavsson recovering from hip surgery and forwards like Joel Eriksson Ek. The Blackhawks face added pressure from Connor Bedard’s expected absence until November, though offseason additions like Patrick Kane’s return and Bowen Byram’s extension aim to bolster depth and experience. Historical series dominance by Minnesota, often decided in overtime or shootouts, combined with both clubs’ roster turnover and experimental preseason lineups, shapes early trader focus on form, goaltending stability, and special-teams execution in the September home-and-home.