CHICAGO — Connor Bedard returned to the Chicago lineup Tuesday and made an immediate mark, setting up a power-play goal as the Blackhawks held off the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-3 at United Center.
Bedard had missed Chicago’s opening six games while recovering from shoulder surgery following a July 2 training-session injury. His initial timeline had pointed toward November, but he had joined team skates in a non-contact sweater beginning Oct. 5.
Quick facts
- Teuvo Teravainen posted two goals and one assist for Chicago.
- Rookie Roman Kantserov scored twice, including a power-play goal assisted by Bedard.
- Spencer Knight stopped 24 shots as the Blackhawks improved to 2-5-0.
- Sidney Crosby scored both Pittsburgh goals in his first multi-goal outing of the season.
- Patrick Kane’s 894th NHL assist matched Phil Housley for the most by a U.S.-born player.
The Blackhawks snapped a two-game skid behind Teravainen, Kantserov and a timely finish from Knight. Sergei Murashov made 15 saves for Pittsburgh, which fell to 3-3-1.
Chicago needed only 28 seconds to get on the board. Anton Frondell worked the puck from near the goal line to Teravainen in front, and Teravainen beat Murashov with a quick finish.
Pittsburgh answered at 6:57 of the first. Erik Karlsson found Crosby through the neutral zone, and the Penguins captain carried over the blue line before snapping a shot home from the right circle.
Bedard’s first point of the season came late in the opening period. From the left circle, he redirected the puck into Kantserov’s shooting lane, and the rookie drilled a one-timer from the slot at 17:50 to restore Chicago’s lead.
Kantserov struck again at 10:32 of the second period. Artyom Levshunov drove down the right wing and fed the puck into the crease area, where Kantserov finished while battling Pittsburgh forward Ben Kindel.
Kane collected the secondary assist on that play, pulling even with Housley at 894 career assists. The mark is the American-born record.
Nick Robertson trimmed Chicago’s advantage to 3-2 with 2:09 left in the second. Blake Lizotte’s shot created a rebound Knight could not secure, and Robertson poked the loose puck across the line.
Crosby tied it 3-3 at 9:17 of the third, converting the rebound after Connor Dewar’s attempt. Karlsson finished with two assists for the Penguins.
Teravainen delivered the deciding goal at 15:42. His shot from along the boards found its way past Murashov, putting Chicago back in front for good.
Tyler Bertuzzi sealed the Blackhawks victory into an empty net with 10 seconds remaining.
