Blackhawks Postgame Chatter: ‘He Looked Confident Out There–Just Like He Always Is’

CHICAGO – The Blackhawks missed Connor Bedard, likewise Bedard missed them. But it was the offense that Bedard brings that everyone–from fans–to the coaching staff missed most.

Bedard had an assist in the Blackhawks’ 4-1 loss Thursday night but it was the little things he did that stood out and reminded anyone watching just how much he drives Chicago’s offense.

“As the game went on, he looked really good,” head coach Luke Richardson said. “He looked confident on the power play–he looked confident out there–just like he always is.”

Richardson went on to say how the power play looked improved when Bedard was out there, too. So with that confidence comes a swagger on the offense side of things that really pushes the Blackhawks attack.

Though they managed just one goal, there was a buzz and some momentum that the Hawks had been missing for the large part of their last 14 games without him.

Blackhawks Benefit From Bedard

Philipp Kurashev buried the only Blackhawks goal, a nifty shot after Bedard found him practically alone to Alex Nedeljkovic’s right side. The pass hit him on the tape and he didn’t waste time, burying his ninth goal of the season.

But what did Bedard think of his first game back, especially being back with Kurashev on the top line?

“It’s fun to play with him, he’s a stud,” Bedard said. “He just gets better with every game. Even watching him, maybe he didn’t have as many points in that little stretch there, but he’s creating so much, his shots were crazy.”

Kurashev indeed benefitted from having Bedard back, but in his absence, it was the defensive side of the game that worked out. Like a switch flipped, reunited with the 18-year-old center notched his first goal since January 7th, the first game without Bedard interestingly enough.

Bedard looked confident his first game back, and the Blackhawks at times, a bit so, too. Even with the eight-game losing streak, the Hawks are looking to snap the losing streak and find a win however they can.

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