Connor Bedard, the No. 1 pick by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2023 NHL Draft, has taken the NHL by storm 21 weeks into his professional career. Each Monday, NHL.com will take a look at what Bedard has done and what’s ahead for him with the Connor Bedard watch.
WHAT HE’S DONE
Bedard had the primary assist on Philipp Kurashev’s goal in a 5-2 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday. Bedard leads the Blackhawks and all NHL rookies with 41 points (17 goals, 24 assists) in 47 games. Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber is second among rookies with 34 points (four goals, 30 assists) in 61 games, and Wild forward Marco Rossi is third with 33 points (17 goals, 16 assists) in 61 games. Bedard leads Chicago with 140 shots on goal (defenseman Seth Jones is next with 113) and leads its forwards in averaging 19:19 of ice time per game.
WHAT’S AHEAD THIS WEEK
The Blackhawks hit the road for three games. It starts with a back-to-back, against the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena on Monday (9 p.m. ET; NBCSCH, ALT), followed by the Arizona Coyotes at Mullett Arena on Tuesday (9 p.m. ET; SCRIPPS, NBCSCH). Chicago will go home to practice for a few days before wrapping up its road trip against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena on Saturday (7 p.m. ET; MNMT, NBCSCH+).
MOST INTRIGUING MATCHUP
Bedard vs. Ovechkin
It’s the second game between these two, and two bits of intrigue here: How Bedard does against the Capitals and captain Alex Ovechkin this time around -- he had two assists, a game-high six shots on goal and logged 21:34 of ice time when Chicago lost 4-2 to Washington on Dec. 10; and if Washington can continue to climb in the standings. Ovechkin has 44 points (17 goals, 27 assists) in 56 games this season, second on the Capitals to forward Dylan Strome (46 points; 22 goals, 24 assists). It hasn’t been his best season, but Ovechkin is still Ovechkin and can still create magic on the ice. The Capitals are 6-2-2 in their past 10 and are seven points behind the Tampa Bay Lightning, who hold the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference.
MOST ANTICIPATED GAME
Blackhawks vs. Avalanche
This is the third matchup between Bedard and Nathan MacKinnon, and the second in the past week; MacKinnon had a goal and an assist Thursday to hit 100 points for the season in the Avalanche’s 4-0 win at United Center. Bedard vs. MacKinnon is always worth watching and with Colorado hosting, there’s probably a good chance Bedard sees a lot of MacKinnon on Monday. Bedard has two assists in three games against the Avalanche this season, and those came in Chicago’s 3-2 win on Dec. 19.
EDGE STAT OF THE WEEK
Bedard is in the 82nd percentile in shots on goal, despite missing time. He is in the 72nd percentile in 80-90 MPH shots and 82nd percentile in 70-80 MPH shots.
