September 22, 2026 • 12:03 AM EDT
Updated 8 seconds ago
If you wondered what Bowen Byram would bring to the Chicago Blackhawks, wonder no more. In his very first preseason game in a Blackhawks sweater, Byram flexed his offensive skills with a flashy hat trick that delivered a 4-3 overtime win over the Minnesota Wild at the United Center on Monday. While these preseason results might not end up in the record books, top guys getting in rhythm and young players stepping up still matter for shaping betting value and regular-season expectations.
This was no dress rehearsal for Minnesota, who again rolled with a mostly AHL lineup. That put extra spotlight on Chicago’s regulars. After a rough turnover handed the Wild a goal just 15 seconds in, the Blackhawks answered with a burst of speed from Nick Lardis. Exiting the penalty box, he forced a giveaway, drew a trip, and then finished off the chance himself to tie it up. If you’re sizing up the Blackhawks’ depth, seeing Lardis use his improved skating and creativity to impact the game is exactly what you want.
The real story was Byram though, and if you’re looking for reasons to back the Blackhawks in the preseason, this was it. His first goal came in the second period off some crisp puck movement. Sam Rinzel and Ryan Greene worked the puck around until Byram found a lane and buried the go-ahead goal. If you care about offensive defensemen, Byram’s ability to jump into the rush is what you bet on for props and fantasy plays.
Start of the third? More Byram. What looked like a backdoor pass to Roman Kantserov caromed in off a Wild stick for his second. Not every goal’s a highlight, but he creates danger. Kantserov and Alex Vlasic combined well here, showing depth in the Blackhawks’ transition and puck cycling.
But if you’re making your own lines, don’t overlook the late-game defensive cracks. Chicago led 3-1 early in the third, but Minnesota rookies Maxim Shabanov and Bobby Brink erased it. Last year’s problem holding leads late? Not totally fixed yet. That’s worth remembering as you handicap Chicago’s puck lines or live totals.
- Byram’s hat trick included the overtime winner just 29 seconds in
- Lardis scored a key shorthanded goal after a penalty kill
- Wild dressed mostly AHL players while Blackhawks fielded their regular lineup
- Blackhawks surrendered a two-goal third period lead
- Chicago closed out back-to-back preseason games against Minnesota
The Value in Byram’s Debut and Blackhawks’ Lineup
If you’re eyeing preseason bets, you want confirmation of roles and chemistry. Byram instantly looked like an impact, puck-moving blueliner for a team that’s needed that spark. Three goals out the gate is hot, sure, but it’s his confidence and activation in the play that signal he’ll be counted on from the jump.
Not to be overshadowed, the way the top Blackhawks lines generated chances at 5-on-5 says the offense will be much more dangerous if these combinations stick. The caveat: defensive gaffes popped up, especially with the game on the line. Betting the over for Blackhawks games? You saw why tonight.
What to Watch Moving Forward
Chicago wraps up preseason with home-and-home games against the St. Louis Blues. This is where betting angles get interesting: you’ll see the Blackhawks make final tweaks now that their key new weapons, like Byram, are gelling with the core. If Byram keeps this up, you might see his props moving way up come the real games.
Key Takeaways for Bettors and Fans
- Bowen Byram made a massive first impression with a hat trick from the blue line
- Nick Lardis showed legit two-way potential after working on his skating and strength in the offseason
- Chicago’s regular lineup can score but defensive lapses still present
- If you’re looking at early-season bets, Byram’s chemistry with forwards is a boost for power-play and points props
- Wild’s young roster showed fight, but struggled against NHL-level lineups
- Blackhawks need to clean up late-game execution ahead of the regular season
- St. Louis home-and-home will be the last tune-up and a spot to watch for final roster moves
- Chicago’s offense is taking a step, but team defense will still decide close games
- Betting overs and player props on Blackhawks defensemen now looks even more intriguing
According to Yahoo Sports, the Blackhawks finally put the game away in overtime, with Byram’s third goal of the night only 29 seconds into the extra frame. It’s only preseason, but sometimes you can tell when a player is going to change the look of a squad. That’s exactly what happened here.
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