Mobbed by media before game in Montréal, Blackhawks rookie looks forward to game against Canadiens at Bell Centre. Story with updated videos and lineups.
Connor Bedard will make his Hockey Night in Canada debut on Saturday when the Chicago Blackhawks meet the Montréal Canadiens at the Bell Centre.
The rookie center, who will play in his third NHL game, said he looks forward skating on the iconic national television stage. Like many Canadian kids, he watched "HNIC" on Saturday nights with his dad. His mom and sister weren't as interested joining them from their North Vancouver, British Columbia home.
See what Bedard has to say in the following video.
The Bell Centre isn't exactly as storied as the Forum was, but Bedard is pumped to play at newer arena before its "electric" crowd. See the next video.
Here's Chicago's projected lineup for tonight's contest at 7 p.m. ET.
Forward Taylor Hall, injured (upper-body) in Boston on Thursday, participated in the game-day skate on Saturday, but will not play. Taylor Raddysh will replace Hall on Bedard's line.
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Coach Luke Richardson plans to use Lukas Reichel, the Blackhawks first-round draft pick in 2020, on the first power-play unit with Bedard. Reichel is considered the No. 2 forward prospect in the Chicago organization behind Bedard.
Chicago entered 0-for-7 with the man advantage in two games.
Richardson first thought Hall might be out "week-to-week" after the forward took a punishing blindside hit from Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo. Now it looks more like day-to-day. Also still out is forward Philipp Kurashev (left wrist).
See the video below.