The penultimate game of a tumultuous 2021–22 regular season for the Chicago Blackhawks was also their final home game at the United Center when they faced the Vegas Golden Knights, whose playoff hopes were hanging by a thread entering the game. In fact, a loss by Vegas (or a win by the Dallas Stars over the Arizona Coyotes) would eliminate the Knights from playoff contention. For the Hawks, the game could mark the final home game for franchise icons Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews despite conflicting comments and rumors swirling around the team’s approach to rebuilding and whether or not the Hawks’ two stars will be part of the process heading into the final year of their eight-year contracts. The Hawks started Kevin Lankinen in goal against Vegas second-year netminder Logan Thompson.