Morning Chirps: Bedard Climbs the Ranks, Dach Dishes it Out

The Chicago Blackhawks played their best game in quite some time last night, beating the Nashville Predators 6-2. They are right back at it tonight against the St. Louis Blues in their final game before the 4 Nations Face-off. It was a rough night for the Rockford IceHogs, while some amateur prospects had big games.

Blackhawks Chirps

• Connor Bedard was one of six Blackhawks to have multiple points in last night’s big win over Nashville. His two points gave him 109 in his career, passing Steven Stamkos and Jeff Skinner for the third-most points by an active player before turning 20. He’s only behind Patrik Laine (134) and Sidney Crosby (222). Not bad for a pond hockey player.
• Speaking of pond hockey, the Blackhawks social media team has some fun after the game at the expense of Paul Bissonette.

• Nick Lardis continued his hot streak on Friday night by scoring his 50^th and 51^st goals of the season. He also recorded an assist to cap off a three-point night. The 2023 third-round pick has a 12-game goal streak. Although he hasn’t played for the Blackhawks yet, he joins a long list of former Blackhawks to have a 50-goal season in the OHL: Steve Ludzik (50, 1980-81), Steve Thomas (51, 1983-84), Alex DeBrincat (51, 2014-15/65 2016-17), Andrew Brunette (51, 1991-92/62 1992-93), Steve Sullivan (51, 1993-94), Daniel Cleary (53, 1995-96), Randy Cunneyworth (54, 1980-81), Steve Larmer (55, 1980-81), Dave Bolland (57, 2005-06), Patrick Kane (62, 2006-07), Wayne Presley (63, 1983-84), Bernie Nicholls (63, 1980-81), Doug Gilmour (70, 1982-83), and Tony Tanti (81, 1980-81).  
• Lardis’ teammate, 2024 first-round pick Marek Vanacker, scored a power-play goal in the Brantford Bulldogs’ 4-2 win over the Saginaw Spirit. He now has 13 goals and 22 points in 28 games.
• Aidan Thompson scored two goals, including the game-winner in overtime, to lead Denver University to a 5-4 win over Arizona State. The 2022 third-round pick has 15 goals and 34 points in 27 NCAA games.

• On this date in 1992, Steve Larmer played in his 776^th straight game for the Blackhawks, tying Craig Ramsay’s NHL record for the most consecutive games played with one team.
• On Feb. 8, 1996, Tony Amonte scored two goals and recorded three assists for a career-high five points in a 6-1 win over the Blues.

IceHogs Chirps

• The IceHogs took one on the chin last night in a 6-3 loss to the Texas Stars. Rockford got power-play goals from Andreas Athanasiou and Cole Guttman, who added his 20^th goal of the season in the third period. Guttman recorded an assist on Athanasiou’s goal for a three-point need. Joey Anderson also had three points with a trio of helpers. AHL All-Star MVP Kevin Korchinski picked up his 17^th assist on Guttman’s power-play tally.
• Colton Dach returned to the IceHogs’ lineup after his first stint in the NHL. He showed off the physical side that the organization wants to see more of.

NHL Chirps

• The Winnipeg Jets became the first team to earn 80 points in the NHL this season with their 4-3 win over the New York Islanders. They needed only 56 games to hit this mark, the fewest in franchise history, beating the 59 games it took them to earn 80 points last season.
• Leon Draisaitl became the league’s first 40-goal scorer in a 5-4 loss to the Colorado Avalanche. He became the sixth player born outside North America to have six seasons with at least 40 goals. The other players on that list are Alex Ovechkin (13), Jari Kurri (7), Teemu Selanne (7), Jaromir Jagr (6), and Ilya Kovalchuk (6).
• Staying in Edmonton, Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic caught up with Oilers general manager Stan Bowman to discuss the upcoming trade deadline. He mentioned that he could be looking to add a depth left-handed defenseman. Alec Martinez and T.J. Brodie are both left-handed, just in case.