No. 1 NHL Draft Picks a Decade Apart, Bedard and MacKinnon Face Off Again on Thursday in Chicago.
When it comes to pure speed and power, Connor Bedard probably can't keep pace with Nathan MacKinnon.
Speed and power: Colorado's Nathan MacKinnonWhen it comes to thinking and reading the game in midst of NHL-paced mayhem, Bedard has the ability to measure up. Maybe more.
So points-wise, impact-wise, the crafty Bedard might just catch MacKinnon before too long.
Bedard, hockey's "next generational talent" and the league's top draft pick of 2023 is pumped for a rematch with MacKinnon, the No. 1 selection of 2013 on Thursday night. MacKinnon's Colorado Avalanche meets Bedard's Blackhawks at the United Center in the rubber match of the three-game season series.
MacKinnon Nearing 100 Points in Hart-Trophy Caliber Season
The 28-year-old MacKinnon is second in the NHL with 98 points on 35 goals and 63 assists. The Calder Trophy winner in 2013-14 as an 18-year-old, the 6-foot-0, 200-pound MacKinnon is closing in on his second 100-plus points season and second in three years.
"Obviously MacKinnon is having an unbelievable season," Bedard said. "And they've got (Cale) Makar and those guys. They've got a loaded roster.
"(MacKinnon's) so fast and so powerful and thinks the game so well," Bedard added. "There's only so many guys who can move that fast, but also think at that pace and that speed and his hands move along with him.
"He's one of my favorite players to watch because I feel like every shift I feel like there's something going. It's exciting and he's one of the top candidates for MVP probably so far this year. So it's fun to watch. See video.
Third Game in Season Series
The Avalanche blew past the Blackhawks 4-0 in Denver on Oct. 19 when Chicago barely touched the puck. The Blackhawks bounced back on Dec. 19 in Chicago, winning 3-2 after Tyler Johnson scored a tie-breaking power-play goal midway through the third period.
Bedard didn't earn an assist on Johnson's game-winner, but helped quarterback it. He did post assists on the Chicago's two other scores. See story in link:
Chicago took that one despite being outshot 37-22 as Petr Mrazek was strong in nets. He'll start again on Thursday.
"We played them real well last time... just playing simple and trying to make them play defense as much as possible," Bedard said. "Obviously they're going to make good plays and get their looks, but if we can limit that, that would be huge."