Chicago rookie had 20 shots on goal, attempted 16 more in first four games. But Bedard had just one goal and two assists heading into Thursday's contest at Colorado. See story with videos.
Connor Bedard has been getting shots and creating chances, but the puck just hasn't been going in for him through his first four NHL games.
Heading into Thursday's matchup against the Colorado Avalanche and Nathan MacKinnon in Denver, Bedard had 20 shots on goal. He had attempted 16 more that missed the net, hit the post or were blocked by defenders.
But Bedard had just one goal — a wrap-around score against Linus Ullmark in Boston last Wednesday — and two assists so far. The NHL's top 2023 draft pick isn't too worried, though. See the following video.
Some of the chances had been glorious. In a 4-1 win at Toronto on Monday, Bedard streaked down the slot, made a tight forehand-to-backhand move, but was stopped by Joseph Woll late in the first period.
Woll made a glove save on Bedard's wrist shot on a prime power-play opportunity in the second. Bedard then clanked a shot off the post.
Time to whack that Sherwood Rekker stick off the boards in frustration, even for a normally calm 18-year-old. After all, Bedard did score 71 goals and 72 assists last season in 57 games for the Regina Pats.
That was against WHL goalies.
Bedard will try to break though against the 3-0 Avalanche, picked again as the top team in the NHL's Central Division.
He looks forward to facing off against another No. 1 overall draft pick, Colorado's Nathan MacKinnon (2013), who also entered the NHL at age 18. MacKinnon won the Calder Trophy in 2013-14 and has become a foundational player for one of the league's best teams.
Bedard says he's not as flat-out fast as MacKinnon, but has enjoyed watching the 28-year-old center who posted a career-high 42 goals and 111 points last season. Bedard also likes the play of MacKinnon's linemate, Mikko Rantanen, slick defenseman Cale Makar and other Avalanche skaters.
The faceoff from Denver is at 8:30 MT. We'll have coverage.