Chicago has a quick rematch with Vegas Golden Knights, the only remaining unbeaten NHL team, on Friday. Bedard says it's time to start winning against to the league's best clubs.
The Chicago Blackhawks take on the one remaining unbeaten NHL team, the defending Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights on Friday in Sin City.
That script is nothing new.
The 2-5-0 Blackhawks, losers of three straight, will face off against an undefeated opponent for the fifth time in eight games. Boston and Colorado were the others, even though the Bruins lost in OT to Anaheim on Thursday and the Avalanche were shut out by Pittsburgh.
But it's time to stop using the tough schedule as an excuse, Bedard said on Thursday after an upbeat, physical practice with lively battle drills.
"We've got to learn how to get to that level and beat these top teams," said the 18-year-old rookie. "I think that's good for us to go against them, but we’ve obviously got to start winning here and, you know, tomorrow will be a good test for us." See the following video.
Second Game This Week Versus Vegas
The Golden Knights, at 7-0-0, beat the Blackhawks 5-3 in Chicago's home opener last Saturday. Bedard scored his first goal at the United Center just 90 seconds in. The game was tied at 2 after two periods although Vegas had begun to take control.
The Golden Knights grabbed a 3-2 lead only 13 seconds into the third. Nicolas Roy finished a 2-on-1 break that was created when Bedard misread and hesitated on coverage after taking the faceoff to start the period. The NHL's top draft pick of 2023 took responsibility for the mix-up.
More Shots, More Chances?
On Friday, Bedard is slated to skate on a line with veteran Nick Foligno on the left wing and Philipp Kurashev on the right. Kurashev played his first regular-season game on Tuesday in a 3-0 loss to Boston after sitting out with a wrist injury he suffered in the Blackhawks preseason opener against St. Louis.
Coach Luke Richardson said Kurashev was Chicago's best player on the ice in the loss. The speedy forward skated with Bedard in the third period and two generated some chances.
Bedard hopes for more of that. He has just two shots on goal in his last three games after firing off 20 in his first four.
"I think I could shoot more for sure, but I mean I'm not just a shooter," Bedard said. "For me, if it's not there, I'm going to try and make a pass." See the video.
Here are likely forward lines and defense pairings for Friday's game. It starts at 3 p.m. PT on "Nevada Day." Petr Mrazek will start in goal after a 40-save performance against Boston Tuesday that kept Chicago close in a 3-0 loss.
Forward Lines
F1. Nick Foligno-Connor Bedard-Philipp Kurashev
F2. Jason Dickinson-Lukas Reichel-Taylor Raddysh
F3. Tyler Johnson-Ryan Donato-Corey Perry
F4. Boris Katchouk-MacKenzie Entwistle-Reese Johnson
Extras: Andreas Athanasiou (healthy scratch) Blackwell (lower body) IR: Hall (shoulder) NOTE: Richardson had a postgame comment on Athanasiou's sloppy offside entry during a power play on Tuesday that cost Chicago a goal after a video review.
Defense Pairings (Not confirmed)
D1. Kevin Korchinski-Seth Jones
D2. Alex Vlasic-Connor Murphy
D3. Jarred Tinordi-Wyatt Kaiser
Extra: Nikita Zaitsev
Goaltenders
Petr Mrazek (starter), Arvid Söderblom.
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