Bedard scores, sets Blackhawks record in loss to Jets 

WINNIPEG -- Connor Bedard extended his road point streak to eight games, setting a team record for the longest by a rookie, in the Chicago Blackhawks’ 3-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets at Canada Life Centre on Saturday.

Bedard passed Darryl Sutter (seven games in 1980-81) on the list and has 12 points during his streak (eight goals, four assists). It is the second longest in NHL history by a player age 18 or younger, one ahead of Sidney Crosby, Steve Yzerman, and Sylvian Turgeon, trailing Nathan MacKinnon (16 games).

“I thought he was excellent,” Chicago coach Luke Richardson said. “I thought the first two periods especially, he had some really excellent bursts out there, which we have been talking about, just adding a little bit more speed to that talent, and I think we saw that. He created some on his first goal just by skating, and [Philipp Kurashev] shooting the puck and him just being ready to shoot it… I think (his game is) going in the right direction and hopefully, he’s not happy with the result of the game, but he should be happy with his game tonight.”

Arvid Soderblom made 25 saves for the Blackhawks (7-15-0), who have lost three of four (1-3-0).

“We had ups and downs,” Chicago forward Anthony Beauvillier said after his Blackhawks debut. “I thought we battled. We did a lot of good things. We could break the puck out quite a bit and had some chances. It’s a tough team to play, it’s a tough place to come in and try to get a win.”

Cole Perfetti, Mark Scheifele and Morgan Barron scored for the Jets (13-8-2), who ended a season-long three-game losing streak. Connor Hellebuyck made 20 saves.

“We used our 'D' a lot better tonight than previous games,” Winnipeg coach Rick Bowness said. “We changed the point of attack, east-to-west, got the D involved… I know we got four assists from our D, and I keep telling you guys that we create offence when our defence is involved.”

Bedard made it 1-0 at 4:39 of the first period, converting a rebound of a Philipp Kurashev shot to the right of Hellebuyck.

“I was definitely impressed with what he does on the ice and it’s definitely a privilege to play with him [Bedard],” Beauvillier, who played on a line with Bedard and Kurashev, said. “He’s a really good player. I just try to see what he’s doing and try to read off him a little bit and he was good tonight.”

Scheifele tied it 1-1 on the power play at 10:43 when Gabriel Vilardi drove to the middle and passed to Scheifele in the slot.

“[Vilardi] hangs onto pucks and he makes plays,” Bowness said. “The only way you do that in this league is if you have size and strength. So, we have certainly missed him for sure, around the walls, around the net and the patience and the skill to make those plays.”

Barron put Winnipeg ahead 2-1 at 6:23 of the second when Nikolaj Ehlers sprung him for a partial breakaway, and he beat Soderblom five-hole.

“They’re a quick team,” Blackhawks defenseman Jared Tinordi said. “They close quick. There’s not a lot of time and space out there. We struggled getting through the neutral zone. We were a little stubborn with the puck, I think, at times.”

Perfetti reached behind as he skated from the slot to deflect Dylan Samberg’s point shot at 10:06 of the third for the 3-1 final.

“Perfetti, he just reaches out, we’ve got our guy, but unfortunately, he reaches out and just ticks his stick enough as that seeing-eyeball finds its way in somehow,” Richardson said.

NOTES: Beauvillier had two shots and two takeaways in 16:55 of ice time in his Blackhawks debut. … Declan Chisholm’s assist on Perfetti’s goal is his first NHL point. Chisholm also had two shot blocks in 12:58 of ice time in his season debut. … The Jets are 3-6-1 when allowing the first goal. … Winnipeg has won six straight against Chicago and is 9-1-0 in its past 10 against them.