Connor Bedard has recorded three points since his return after missing 14 straight games. Bedard scored his first goal since his return and had one assist to help the Chicago Blackhawks out of their eight-game losing streak. The Blackhawks won with a 3-2 victory against the Ottawa Senators at the United Center on Saturday, February 17th.
Senators lineup against the Blackhawks:
Tkachuk – Norris – Batherson
Joseph – Stutzle – Giroux
Greig – Pinto – Tarasenko
Kubalik – Kastelic – Kelly
Sanderson – Zub
Chabot – Benard-Docker
Chychrun – Hamonic
Korpisalo
Forsberg
Blackhawks lineup against the Senators:
Foligno – Bedard – Kurashev
Johnson – Dickinson – Anderson
Katchouk – Entwistle – Raddysh
Blackwell – Sanford – Donato
Vlasic – Jones
Korchinski – Megna
Tinordi – Crevier
Mrazek
Soderblom
Nick Foligno struck first and gave Chicago a 1-0 lead late into the first period. Connor Bedard picked up a drop pass in the offensive zone from Philipp Kurashev… Bedard passed the puck back to Kurashev at the goal line, who put it in front and Foligno tapped it in to get his 12th goal of the season. Finishing a give-and-go with Claude Giroux on a 2-on-1, Tim Stutzle tied the game 1-1 at 4:03 of the first frame.
Ottawa took the lead in the second period – Jakob Chychrun scored on the power play at 11:47. He shot from the right face-off circle off a pass by Vladimir Tarasenko, scoring a one-timer. Connor Bedard scored his first goal since his return and his 16th of the season to tie the game 2-2. Bedard struck with a wrist shot that went through Joonas Korpisalo’s pads after he had taken a pass in the left circle from Philipp Kurashev, who recorded his second assist of the game.
Connor Bedard appeared to have scored at 7:36 of the third period to regain the lead for Chicago. However, the Ottawa Senators successfully challenged for offside… the goal was overturned. With only 1:52 left to play, Jason Dickinson brought back the 3-2 lead to wrap it up.
Connor Bedard on Philipp Kurashev and the Blackhawks’ 3-2 win against the Ottawa Senators: “He’s fun to play with. He’s super smart, fast, and skilled. I think as you play with the guy more, you can read off him, and the same with Foligno. But yeah, Kurshy is a stud. I’ve had a lot of fun growing that chemistry and getting to play with him,” – “It’s great, especially getting back, being at home for a couple games, and getting to feel that energy… It’s awesome to get a win. It’s been a long time, for myself, I think we were on a five-year losing streak when I was playing. Obviously, it’s hard to watch when we’re losing. It feels good for all of us to get that.”
Jason Dickinson on the 3-2 win and Connor Bedard: “It’s definitely big. It helps the morale. In the past couple of games, we weren’t satisfied with our 60-minute effort,” – “I think it goes without saying. I think everyone knows he’s a dynamic player. He’s electric with the puck, so you give him opportunities and he’s going to make something happen. Brings a lot more depth to the lineup, a lot more danger to that line.”
Notes:
– Connor Bedard has a total of three points since he returned (one goal, two assists)
Bedard had his seventh multi-point game of the season. He ties Brock Faber for the most among NHL rookies.
– Philipp Kurashev has seven points during a five-game point streak (one goal, six assists)… Nick Foligno has five points during a five-game point streak (three goals, two assists)
– Petr Mrazek made 40 saves for Chicago
– Tim Stutzle had a goal and an assist… Claude Giroux had his three-game goal streak come to an end.
– Joonas Korpisalo made 19 saves for Ottawa
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