Blackhawks Coach Luke Richardson Wants Connor Bedard to Go "Straight Down Broadway" in New York Debut

Injury-ravaged and last-place Chicago needs to take a direct approach as it meets Metropolitan Division-leading Rangers.

Coach Luke Richardson wants Connor Bedard to go straight down Broadway — or maybe Eighth Avenue —  when the Chicago Blackhawks phenom makes his New York debut against the Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night.

The 18-year-old Bedard is the NHL's leading rookie scorer with 15 goals and 33 points in 37 games. But the heralded top draft pick of 2023 has just one assist in his last three contests, all losses for injury-depleted Chicago.

Bedard has already successfully flashed some dazzling moves in the NHL — his lacrosse-style goal off a backhand lift of the puck on Dec. 23 in St. Louis might top the list. But the rookie has been best when he's feisty, persistent, shooting and driving. 

Bedard's first of two goals in a 2-1 overtime win over Winnipeg on Dec. 27 at the United Center was a prime example. He connected by plowing to the net and whacking in a rebound of his own one-timer from the right circle.

Since that contest, Bedard has five shots on goal and attempted nine others in Chicago's three-game losing streak. Richardson wants the rookie shooting and going to the net against the first-place Rangers.

"I think he's got to be just like the rest of us," Richardson said. "Simple. Like I think a couple of times he could have taken that puck in the first period (of a 3-0 loss at Nashville on Tuesday) to the net instead trying of a lateral pass and he's got that good shot.

"That's not being selfish. That's just being a good team guy."  See video.

Bedard is the 11-24-2 Blackhawks lone marquee star as they hit the ice in Manhattan. His supporting cast has been thinned by injuries.

Chicago is without forwards Anthony Beauvillier (IR wrist), Taylor Raddysh (IR, groin), Andreas Athanasiou (IR, groin), Tyler Johnson (foot) and Joey Anderson (IR, lower body), and top defenseman Seth Jones (IR, shoulder).

Former Hart Trophy winner Taylor Hall, acquired in June, is out for the season after right ACL surgery in November.

Resurgent Petr Mrazek will start in goal versus the Rangers.  Newcomer Jaycob Megna, a defenseman who grew up in the Chicago suburb of Northbrook, Illinois, will make his Blackhawks debut after being claimed off waivers from Seattle on Wednesday.  

Megna, a 31-year-old journeyman, never thought he'd have a chance to play for his hometown team. See video.