Connor Bedard’s first night back had the feel of a fresh start at United Center. The Chicago captain returned from left shoulder surgery, logged more than 21 minutes, set up a power-play goal and helped the Blackhawks beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-3 on Tuesday.
Bedard, 21, had been targeting a return that once appeared likely to come in November. Instead, after an aggressive rehabilitation schedule following July surgery, he was back in Chicago’s No. 1 center slot several weeks ahead of that initial timetable.
Bedard beats the recovery clock
- Bedard injured his left shoulder during an offseason workout in Vancouver on July 2 and underwent surgery later that month.
- The original expectation was that the Blackhawks captain would be unavailable until November.
- He began skating by himself when training camp opened, then joined teammates on the ice Oct. 5.
- Sunday and Monday brought his first two full practices of the season.
- On Tuesday, Bedard made his regular-season debut against Pittsburgh, finishing with 21:06 of ice time. That was fourth-most among Chicago skaters and led all Blackhawks forwards.
Standing in the room afterward with a backward cap and the surgical scar visible on his shoulder, Bedard said the push to return was driven by how much he missed being around the game.
“A lot. A lot,” Bedard said when asked whether he had missed playing. “The camaraderie, the energy in the building, everything. It’s all you want to do. It’s what I live for.”
Top line produces in return
Chicago put Bedard between Roman Kantserov on the left side and Patrick Kane on the right, with the three also working together on the first power-play unit. They had only limited practice time as a group, but they connected for Bedard’s first point of the season.
At 17:50 of the opening period, Bedard fed Kantserov for a power-play goal, earning the primary assist. It was Bedard’s 129th NHL assist, putting him third in Blackhawks history for assists recorded before a player’s 22nd birthday. Denis Savard remains first with 191, followed by Kane with 166.
Bedard’s first shot on goal came on his familiar wrist shot at 11:02 of the first. He added a slap shot shortly after Chicago’s first power play began at 16:55. He won six of his 14 faceoffs and said the shoulder never became a concern during the game.
“It felt good,” Bedard said. “If I didn’t feel normal, I wouldn’t be playing. I didn’t really find myself thinking about it, and that’s all you can ask for.”
Kane saw little indication that Bedard had been out of the lineup.
“He looked great,” Kane said. “He was skating well and making plays. He had some really good chances and nice passes. I thought it was a great night for him.”
Blashill praises the work behind the comeback
Coach Jeff Blashill called the debut “pretty good,” acknowledging that Bedard may have had a few moments of rust while emphasizing the level he reached after missing the early part of the season.
Blashill also pointed to the work Bedard put in away from the rink and during his gradual return to skating.
“Connor put an incredible amount of work in to come back as quickly as he did,” Blashill said. “He did everything he possibly could to put himself in position to come back quick. It’s a testament to his desire to play, his work ethic and his commitment to the team.”
Bedard was pleased with the early look of the new top unit, though he put the focus on what comes next rather than on one productive night.
“They’re two unbelievable players,” Bedard said of Kantserov and Kane. He credited Kantserov’s play and said Kane’s ability needs little explanation, adding that the trio can continue to develop together.
The victory also gave Chicago a needed response after recent losses in which the club felt it had played better than the results showed. Bedard said there are still details to sharpen, but the Blackhawks’ return to the win column was what mattered most.
“You lose a couple, and when you look at the last couple games, we did good things and you feel you’re not getting rewarded, it can be frustrating,” Bedard said. “There are still areas we can clean up, but overall we played pretty well, and getting the win is obviously what matters.”
