Connor Bedard had several prime scoring chances and created linemate Phillip Kurashev's goal with a hit and a deft pass. But the Chicago Blackhawks were outplayed by the Columbus Blue Jackets early and lost 5-2 on Saturday night. NHL-worst Chicago suffered its sixth straight loss. Columbus took charge early and didn't look back [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA0NzQ5MzI3OTQyMjk3MDgw/usatsi_22679535_168401008_lowres.jpg] Columbus took charge early and didn't look back The Blackhawks are 1-11-3 in their last 15. Despite "trying to play the right way," they continue to boost their odds of winning the NHL draft lottery for the second straight year. The line of Bedard, Kurashev and Ryan Donato accounted for all of Chicago's offense. Blackhawks coach Luke Richardson said his team not only got off to slow start and wasn't composed early. Basically, it was a poor effort that needed to be flushed, starting when Chicago practices on Sunday at 11:30 at Fifth Third Arena. See the following video. Chicago coach Luke Richardson said his team's effort against Columbus in 5-2 loss was slow, not composed, BEDARD GETS PHYSICAL Bedard got effectively physical late in the first period after Alexandre Texier and Boone Jenner had scored to give the Blue Jackets a 2-0 lead. Bedard bumped Alexander Nylander off the puck along the back boards in the Columbus zone. Donato slid the puck toward the front, then Bedard neatly redirected it to Kurashev who drove to the net and fired in his 10th goal with 2:28 left in the period to cut it to 2-1. Richardson gave the NHL's leading rookie scorer, who now has 41 points in 47 games, credit for a crafty play. See the following video. Luke Richardson said rookie Connor Bedard made a smart play to knock Alexander Nylander off the puck and set up Philipp Kurashev's goal. It was an isolated highlight in 5-2 loss to Columbus. The momentum was short-lived. Mathieu Olivier and Cole Sillinger connected in the second to up the Blue Jackets' lead to 4-1. Olivier beat Arvid Söderblom on the short side with a backhander that found a hole under the goalie's blocker. CHICAGO WAKES UP IN THIRD PERIOD Donato trimmed it to 4-2 at 6:18 of the third. Kurashev plowed to the net, but both he and his backhander went wide to the right. The puck bounced back to Donato, who popped it in from the side of the crease. Chicago had some chances, but too few and too late. [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA0NzQ5MzI3OTQyMzYyNjE2/usatsi_22679537_168401008_lowres.jpg] Chicago had some chances, but too few and too late. Then the Blackhawks and Bedard came on and had some chances. Elvis Merzlikins stopped a couple of prime attempts from the rookie, including a pair from the slot. Bedard finished with four shots on goal and took one that was blocked. Johnny Gaudreau's empty-netter with 2:25 left iced it. BEDARD BUMPED Bedard felt some impact in this one. He was stung when blocking Adam Boqvist's shot from the left circle in the second period. The rookie drove to the net just before Donato scored and was slammed in the crease after the puck crossed the goal line. Although he was on the ice for the two goals Chicago scored, Bedard and his line were out for four against. His season plus/minus mark dropped to minus-31 on a team with that has allowed 93 more goals than it has scored (125 for, 218 against). Kurashev, at minus-34, is the only NHL player with a worse plus/minus. He's not happy about all the losses and goals-against, even if Bedard channeled some positive energy against the Blue Jackets. See the following video. Philipp Kurashev is last in the NHL at with a minus-34. Connor Bedard is a minus-31, but the rookie provided some positive energy on Saturday despite being on the ice for four goals-against.
