Connor Bedard Back With Pep — and Linemates Philipp Kurashev and Nick Foligno

It's taken Connor Bedard all of one period to sort things out and get back up to NHL speed after missing nearly six weeks with a broken jaw.

Now the league's leading rookie scorer seems primed to keep rolling with linemates Philipp Kurashev and Nick Foligno at Carolina on Monday night as Chicago seeks to end a franchise-record 20-game road losing streak.

The Blackhawks also will get a boost from the return of speedy forward Anthony Beauvillier, out since Jan. 2 with a broken left wrist. A New York Islanders first-round draft pick in 2015,  Beauvillier was slated to skate on a line with emerging Selke Trophy candidate Jason Dickinson and Joey Anderson.

Quick Bounceback for Bedard 

After being sidelined 14 games since Jan. 5, Bedard had a rough first period in return last Thursday against Pittsburgh. Sidney Crosby won the opening faceoff and scored 15 seconds later. Reilly Smith connected midway through the frame after Bedard's cross-ice pass inside the Penguins blue line was picked off.

But Bedard corrected everything in a hurry. By the second period versus the Pens, he was buzzing again with Kurashev and Foligno. The NHL's top draft pick of 2023 picked up an assist in a 4-1 loss, but created several other prime chances.

On Saturday against Ottawa, Bedard was even more visible with his first goal since Dec. 27, an assist — plus a snazzy score that was disallowed because he was narrowly offside.

Still Rookie Scoring Leader

Bedard leads all rookies with 16 goals and 36 points, although he's played 13 fewer games that his closest pursuers, Minnesota's Brock Faber and Marco Rossi. In his first two games back, Bedard has nine shots on goal and has attempted three others while averaging just under 20 minutes of ice time.

He's clicked again with the slick Kurashev, who has a goal and six assists in his last five games, and the grittier Foligno, who still has ample energy at age 36.

"(Kurashev) is jumping right now," coach Luke Richardson said. "I think he's a little bit like-minded (with Bedard) I guess. So when you find those players you like to play with, you pick your game up because you know you can make some difference out there" See video.

Bedard says he just likes talking hockey with Kurashev, a 24-year-old Swiss national with Russian roots. The rookie thinks that's one of the best ways to build on-ice chemistry with a teammate. See Bedard in the following video.

And Bedard has seemed committed to a 200-foot-game, hustling to backcheck and be in position when Chicago doesn't have puck.

"I saw him three or four times, like, putting his head down, crossing over tan the first guy back," Richardson said. "And I think that's been the difference in his game."

Beauvillier in Return

Richardson welcomes the added dash of speed from Beauvillier, whom the Blackhawks acquired on Nov. 28 from Vancouver. General manager Kyle Davidson traded for the forward hours after releasing veteran Corey Perry for violating team policies.

Richardson said he planned to use Beauvillier on the power play against the Hurricanes, even if he might have to "kick off a little bit of dust." The Chicago coach noted the forward was responsible defensively and his "energy should help out both ways." See video.