Connor Bedard Scores First OT Goal To Cap Two-Goal Game, Blackhawks Top Jets 2-1

The NHL's leading rookie scorer beat Connor Hellebuyck from the slot to up his totals to 15 goals and 17 assists. Story updated with videos.

The Blackhawks had their hands full with the surging Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday night. But NHL leading rookie scorer Connor Bedard provided Chicago with all the offense it needed.

Just enough.

Bedard scored his second goal of the game at 2:15 of a wild overtime to lift the last-place Blackhawks to a 2-1 win, only their second in eight games. He beat Connor Hellebuyck on a shot under the glove from the slot for his 15th goal and first in OT.

It was a tricky shot that might have been slightly screened by Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey.

"He's (Bedard) the guy that it's hard to know when he releases the puck, because he's coming down and he can shoot it at any time," Blackhawks coach Luke Richardson said. "But he can pull the puck in and he seems to hold on to it longer that other people, and still get a hard-enough shot off that's going to beat a world-class goalie like that.

"So Hellebuyck's probably ready at all times and then he probably has to shuffle a little bit because when (Bedard) drags it, he drags it behind him, but a little bit sideways. So Hellebuyck's probably moving just a little bit if you watch it in slow motion." See following video.

Bedard also has 17 assists. The rookie has three goals and five assists in a five-game point streak.

Bedard was feeling good after his third two-goal game this season. The other two were in back-to-back games, at Tampa Bay and Florida, on Nov. 9 and 12.

"It always nice to score goals and especially the kind of the crowd tonight, it was awesome," Bedard said. "It was obviously nice to get the winner in overtime."

Bedard said his shot on the game-winner was mostly based on instinct after he saw a clear lane toward the net. See video.

Bedard opened the scoring with 4:03 left in the first period before a sellout United Center crowd of 20,540.

Defenseman Connor Murphy held the puck in on the right boards, then fed Bedard in the right circle for a one-timer. Hellebuyck stopped it, but Bedard charged to the net and popped in the rebound.

“I just kept kind of whacking it and eventually it went in,” Bedard said. “You gotta' have some of those kind of garbage ones and that might have been my first one like that.” See the video.

“He’s a great young player," Winnipeg coach Rick Bowness said "It’s great to see the stands filled here in Chicago again. He’s probably a big reason for it. 

"He’s got a great release. I thought for the most part we did a good job around him. The two chances he got he put them in the net. Give him credit for that.”

The Jets lost for just their third time in 11 games, an 8-1-2 run.

Blackhawks goalie Petr Mrazek was terrific, stopping 37 shots and holding Chicago in this one. The 31-year-old Czech has bounced back this season after a groin injury hindered him the past two years.

Being healthy is the "No. 1 thing," Mrazek said. "When I feel good, I know I can play the game."

Richardson said Mrazek deserved the OT win after his performance. Bedard's effort was pretty good, too. See the video.