Connor Bedard is showing rapid improvement at the NHL level. In the Chicago Blackhawks’ 5-3 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning, Bedard made an impact with a four-point performance.
In the win, Bedard scored two goals and provided two assists. This achievement made him the youngest player in Blackhawks history to have a multi-goal or four-point game, and the third-youngest player in NHL history to record four points in a single game.
According to Blackhawks head coach Luke Richardson, Bedard has been diligently working on refining his game and quickly implemented tips from their recent conversation on “being a little harder on the forecheck”.
“He’s new to the league, and he’s been here a dozen games now,” Richardson said. “He’s starting to really figure it out and use his skills at the best of his ability. It paid off for him and us tonight.”
Richardson highlighted Chicago’s first goal as an example of Bedard learning how to create his own scoring chances.
“He created the whole first goal,” Richardson said. “He was on the defenseman hard, and he has a good stick. He has good stick skills, so he’s not in there slashing. He’s in there lifting sticks. He turned the puck over, came back, and got the goal. That was great, and good things happen when you play the right way.”
When asked about his impressive performance, Bedard credited his teammates and downplayed his own role in the offense against the Lightning.
“Like I said before, all those goals, you can look at other guys and see what they did,” Bedard said. “I got the benefit. The play by (Philipp Kurashev) on the first one was beautiful, and then Nick (Foligno) with three nice helpers. It was fun to get that and spread the scoring around for sure.”
With seven goals and 11 points in 12 games, Bedard is off to a strong start in the Calder Trophy race, and it seems like he will continue to work on his development.
