Even with Bedard back in the lineup, dead-last Chicago remains desperate for goal scoring.
Connor Bedard scored both Blackhawks goals in Chicago's 2-1 overtime win the last time the Winnipeg Jets visited the United Center, on Dec. 27.
Bedard (left) will be back on a line with Philipp Kurashev and Nick Foligno against Winnipeg.The offense-starved Blackhawks need more of the same from the NHL's leading rookie scorer, plus production from other players when they host the Jets again on Friday night.
Last-place Chicago is 4-16-2 since Bedard beat Connor Hellebuyck with a tricky shot at 2:15 of a frantic extra period for the first OT goal of his career, two days after Christmas. Only San Jose has scored fewer goals than the Blackhawks' 119, and Chicago has just 24 its last 17 games.
The Blackhawks are 1-9-1 in their last 11 contests and 15-39-3 overall.
Bedard Back on Track, But Hawks Need More.
Bedard had two goals and six points in his first three games after returning last week versus Pittsburgh from a broken jaw. He was held off the scoresheet in Wednesday's 3-1 loss to Philadelphia, despite some good chances on three shots on goal and attempting eight others that were blocked or wide.
Bedard got right back against Sidney Crosby and the Penguins after missing 14 games with a broken jaw.Bedard has 39 points in 43 games to lead all first-year-NHLers. His 17 goals tie him for tops among rookies with Minnesota's Marco Rossi, who has appeared in all 56 of the Wild's contests.
Bedard skated a season-high 24:49 against the Flyers as the Blackhawks pressed for a second goal. Linemates Philipp Kurashev and 36-year-old Nick Foligno played 24:43 and 22:43 respectively.
The Bedard-Kurashev-Foligno trio will remain together against Winnipeg. The Blackhawks desperately need others to generate and finish.
Taylor Raddysh, one of Chicago's two returning 20-goal scorers from 2022-23, hasn't connected in 23 games. He was robbed by Flyers goalie Samuel Ersson with a glove save in the first period. See video in link: https://x.com/CRoumeliotis/status/1760466187937263665?s=20
"We rewatch our shifts, and maybe I watched that one a little more," Raddysh said. "A chance like that, you probably score nine out of 10 times.”
Coach Luke Richardson hasn't lost confidence in Raddysh. The forward's overall play has been solid although he's been limited to five goals and six assists. See video.
Raddysh is back on the right side of a line with Tyler Johnson, who dished to him on Wednesday, and Anthony Beauvillier. Jason Dickinson, tied with Bedard with 17 goals, again centers energy-forwards Colin Blackwell and Joey Anderson.
Petr Mrazek, the No. 1 goalie with the least goal support in the NHL, will start in nets. Mrazek is 13-22-2, but has a 2.99 goals-against average and .909 save percentage.