The Chicago Blackhawks lose a lot but Connor Bedard makes it worth it

The Chicago Blackhawks lost to the Washington Capitals 4-2 on Sunday night at the United Center. It was a tough game for the team overall but there is one major takeaway of the positive variety. 

Connor Bedard is getting better and better with each passing day. He continues to put up tons of points and it isn’t just in the form of goals. Bedard had two assists in the loss. He had 6 shots on goal so he is shooting at a high volume as well. 

Bedard is up to 11 goals and 12 assists for 23 points in 27 games. He leads all rookies in scoring and is the only first-year player to lead his team in points. He has been nothing short of sensational. 

This is a teenage kid who looks like a player with an incredible future in front of him. Being in the Hart Trophy mix year after year feels like a given at this point once his rookie season is out of the way. He has lived up to all expectations up to this point. 

The Chicago Blackhawks are getting a lot from Connor Bedard as a rookie

Bedard’s second assist of the game was an especially notable one. He made a backhand pass through defenders to find Connor Murphy who joined the rush. He didn’t miss with his shot as Bedard set him up with an incredible chance. 

Very few players have the skill or confidence to execute a play like that. It will only get more and more impressive as he gets older, stronger, and smarter. 

This play also gave him more assists than goals on the season. A lot of people see Bedard as an elite goal-scoring prospect and that is accurate. However, he is equally as good at making others around him better as you saw on the Murphy goal. His hockey IQ is through the roof. 

Following the loss, the Blackhawks are now 9-17-1 which is good for second to last place in the entire league. They will be right there in the draft lottery sweepstakes once again this spring. As long as that happens and Connor Bedard continues to get even better, this season will be a win.