Connor Bedard Returns but Blackhawks Drop 8th Straight 4-1

CHICAGO – Connor Bedard is indeed back. But it couldn’t stop the Blackhawks losing streak from hitting eight games.

Bedard has an assist in his first game back from a fractured jaw suffered against New Jersey back on January 5th. But his childhood idol Sidney Crosby buried two goals and avenged the season opener between the two in Pittsburgh’s 4-1 win Thursday night.

It’s their longest losing streak dating back to last season when they had three eight-game skids.

The Penguins opened the scoring just 15 seconds in when  Crosby buried his 29th of the season. It was Reilly Smith with 7:20 left in the first potting the second, and suddenly, the Blackhawks were in a two goal hole.

It was Bedard who assisted on the Blackhawks’ first goal midway through the second period. He drew a couple Penguins to the slot before sliding a pass to Philipp Kurashev, who recorded his ninth goal of the season.  It came just moments after Pittsburgh banged one off the post, which could have potentially put the game out of reach at 3-0.

Instead, the Hawks found life and added some chances before heading into the second intermission down a goal.

But Crosby had other plans, burying his second of the game in the third, giving the Penguins a 3-1 lead. The Penguins would add an empty netter with 49.7 seconds left to finish Chicago off 4-1.

Connor Bedard Back in Form After First Intermission

After missing 14 games, Bedard looked slightly rusty early but by the middle of the second period, looked like the dynamo he has all season long.

He had a couple golden opportunities in the third period to score, and on one passed when clearly everyone wanted him to shoot.

Connor, my guy, please shoot that. Nobody here does it better than you.

— Greg Boysen (@GregBoysen) February 16, 2024

Despite that, there was no denying just how important Bedard is to the Blackhawks and their offense. It’ll go in the books as another loss, prolonging the miserable losing streak.

But he’s back earlier than expected and the Hawks offense will be better for it.

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