Ex-Blackhawks goaltender gets nod against former team in Sunday showdown

Veteran goaltender Petr Mrazek
is set to face the club that gave him a two-year deal in 2024, and now he gets another chance to show his worth under NHL lights. This matchup carries extra weight for Blackhawks fans.

Mrazek, 33, signed a two-year, $8.5 million contract with Chicago in January 2024.

He appeared in 33 games during 2024-25, posting a 10-19-2 record, with a 3.46 GAA and .890 save percentage.

He was then traded alongside two players to the Red Wings last March and flipped again in June 2025 to Anaheim in a deal that sent goaltender John Gibson to Detroit

According to the latest projected lineups, Anaheim will trot out Mrazek in goal as the starting goalie for this game against Chicago.

Chicago, meanwhile, appears ready to roll with a forward group led by Connor Bedard on the wing alongside Ryan Greene and Andre Burakovsky if Teuvo Teravainen remains unavailable due to his latest injury.

On defense they'll lean on the pairs of Alex Vlasic-Louis Crevier and Wyatt Kaiser-Artyom Levshunov, among others.

For Anaheim's side of the ice, the projected forward core includes Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier, Troy Terry, Chris Kreider, and Mason McTavish-a mix of youth and experienced players that can cause problems if Chicago underestimates them.

His time in a Hawks jersey came with ups and downs but also some memorable moments. He once stood tall and carried the team through tough nights, and now he returns in enemy colors-that adds a sense of urgency and emotional charge to this game.

If Anaheim's defense can limit chaos and force Chicago to generate plays outside the slot, Mrazek's experience could be the X-factor. On the flip side, a Blackhawks attack featuring Bedard and Greene will need to chase rebounds and traffic early to test him before he settles in.

For Chicago fans, this game feels like more than just another tilt. It's a test of respect, growth, and maybe a little redemption. Win or lose, the match will show how far Mrazek and his former team have come.