Blackhawks Daily: Bedard Returns; Penguins 24 Hour Difference

The Chicago Blackhawks are four points ahead in the lottery race–while the Pittsburgh Penguins are staying alive in their playoff race.  Sidney Crosby continues to defy Father Time and buried two goals, giving him 30 on the season and keeping the Penguins afloat as serious questions surround the team’s future.

Their victory comes after a tough loss to Florida a night prior.

The future is in enough question as to whether it’s time to tear down or retool on the fly that Pittsburgh Hockey Now mocked up some trades for Jake Guentzel. But all of this puts things into perspective.

The Blackhawks are truly in the bottom out year as they’re now beginning their build around Connor Bedard. From here, the true excitement begins as the hope they hold becomes the chance at becoming contenders once more. But it was just two seasons ago that the reality Pittsburgh is facing down hit Chicago smack dab in the face. The teardown began, trades commenced, and legends Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane exited.

Rebuilds are not fun, and are not guaranteed to work. Pittsburgh staved off another day of it, but still have serious questions as they approach the trade deadline. Buyer? Seller? Somewhere in the middle?

The Penguins purgatory should serve as another moment of relief for a Blackhawks fanbase enduring a tough year that will one day serve as a “remember when” moment.

Blackhawks In Case You Missed It

• Blackhawks Locker Room Chatter hears that Connor Bedard’s play was stronger as the game went on
• The Blackhawks fall 4-1 to the Penguins, adding an eighth game to their consecutive losing streak
• Kevin Korchinski is another foundational piece for the Blackhawks to build around–and his play this season should be another reason fans are excited.
• It’s not quite time to panic on Lukas Reichel, but concern is noted

Hockey Now Network

• Boston Hockey Now: If the Boston Bruins are going to win the Atlantic, they’re going to have to be fending off the Florida Panthers again.
• Calgary Hockey Now: Seven mind-blowing stats behind the Calgary Flames nearly perfect four-game road trip
• Detroit Hockey Now: Detroit Red Wings goalie Ville Husso will be out for some time while Detroit will be playing outdoors again–this time in Columbus at the “Shoe,” home of Ohio State.
• Montreal Hockey Now: The Montreal Canadiens first overall pick Juraj Slafkovsky is finally hitting his stride and might very well be turning into the player they envisioned when they took him in 2022.
• New Jersey Hockey Now: If the New Jersey Devils were indeed going to make a trade for a netminder–and had interest in Jusse Saros, what would it cost?
• NYIHockeyNow: The New York Islanders Mathew Barzal sits out a second straight practice.
• Philly Hockey Now: Do you really think that trade rumors surrounding the Philadelphia Flyers  faze head John Tortorella?

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