Connor Bedard ripped in his 20th goal on a wicked one-timer and added four assists to lead the Chicago Blackhawks past the Anaheim Ducks 7-2 on Tuesday night. Bedard was super-focused on Tuesday. [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA0OTgxMjAzMjk0NjkzMTE2/usatsi_22762144_168401008_lowres.jpg] Bedard was super-focused on Tuesday. After going eight games without a goal and posting just four assists in the span, Bedard has three goals and five assists in his last two. The center leads rookies in goals and with 51 points in 52 games. "I always try to go in with the same mindset and try to play the same," Bedard said. "It's funny. You know I had an eight-game streak without a goal and then you have a couple of big ones and people kind of freak out about that. But it's only two games and obviously it means nothing if we come out next game and don't do great." See following video. Connor Bedard on having three goals and five assists in two games after eight-game scoring drought. Bedard's five points in a game tied a Blackhawks record for a rookie, set by Ken Wharram in 1954. Bedard's previous high was four points in contest, in a 5-3 win at Tampa Bay on Nov. 9, 2023. The NHL's No. 1 draft pick of 2023 was passing through seams with lightning-quick reads for his three primary assists. He also fired away with five shots on goal and attempted six others that were blocked or wide. MATCHES EDDIE OLCZYK WITH LINE BUZZING Bedard became only the second 18-year-old Blackhawk to score 20 goals. Eddie Olczyk was the other, doing it in 1984-85. "Scoring goals is nice and those round numbers, but it's not really something I thought about," Bedard said of reaching 20. "But it's good." The line of Bedard, Philipp Kurashev and Nick Foligno was buzzing to power the last-place Blackhawks to back-to-back wins for only the second time this season. Chicago, coming off a 7-4 victory over Arizona, scored seven times in consecutive games for the first time since 1992. OFFENSE FROM DEFENSIVE POSITIONING Foligno, the Blackhawks 36-year-old de facto captain, was delighted over Bedard's quick surge, spurred by solid defensive positioning to help transition to the attack. "That's it. That's all he got, eh? That's disappointing" Foligno joked about Bedard's five-point night. "No, I'm proud of him. That's what he can do for us. "You can see he's understanding now his positioning as a centerman, as a player in this league to create offense. And then his natural abilities take over. That's what I'm thrilled about. "It's pretty scary because if he starts figuring it out and has nights like this, he's going to put the whole league on notice." See following video. Blackhawks de facto captain Nick Foligno said linemate Connor Bedard could put the league on notice if rookie keeps playing like did in five-point night against Anaheim. KURASHEV, FOLIGNO CLICKING WITH BEDARD The 24-year-old Kurashev had a two goals and two assists to reach 102 career points in his 250th game. It was his first multi-goal game. The line of Bedard, Kurashev and Foligno was dominant [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA0OTgxMjAzMjk0NjI3NTgw/usatsi_22762135_168401008_lowres.jpg] The line of Bedard, Kurashev and Foligno was dominant Foligno had four assists, including one by holding the puck in the Anaheim zone, then starting a crisp passing play that led to Bedard's score. Seth Jones, Ryan Donato and Tyler Johnson connected for power-play goals. MacKenzie Entwistle also scored and Andreas Athanasiou added two assists in an energetic return after missing four months with a groin/hip injury. Petr Mrazek finished with 27 saves. Brett Leason scored twice for the Ducks, including a short-handed goal in the first that put Anaheim ahead. ATHANASIOU IMPRESSIVE IN RETURN The speedy Athanasiou, one of only two 20-goal scorers from the Blackhawks' 2022-23 team, returned with energy after missing four months with a groin/hip injury. Athanasiou (89) was jumping. [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA0OTgyMTUzMjg3NzA2MzY0/usatsi_22762962_168401008_lowres.jpg] Athanasiou (89) was jumping. The 29-year-old helped set up Donato's and Entwistle's goals, while taking two shots on goal and attempting three others that were blocked or went wide. "He was dynamic tonight," coach Luke Richardson said. "He was skating right off the hop. With any luck, he could have had two goals himself." See video. Luke Richardson on Andreas Athanasiou's high-energy return in 7-2 win over Anaheim Athanasiou, out since Nov. 9, had been limited to 11 games and four assists in 2023-24 entering Tuesday. Against the Ducks, Athanasiou skated on the left wing of a line with Tyler Johnson centering and Taylor Raddysh on the right side. He was robbed by John Gibson's right pad save on a prime chance from the slot in the first period. Athanasiou forcing the issue against Ducks D-Man Cam Fowler [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA0OTgxMjAzMjk0NTYyMDQ0/usatsi_22761448_168401008_lowres.jpg] Athanasiou forcing the issue against Ducks D-Man Cam Fowler GAME FLOW The Blackhawks outshot Anaheim 18-9 in the first period, but settled for a 1-1 tie after 20 minutes as Gibson was sharp. Leason opened the scoring with his short-handed goal at 10:39, then Donato tied it with his second goal in two games by banging in a rebound 48 seconds later. Leason beat Mrazek from the left circle 1:51 into the second. Kurashev replied when he ripped in Bedard's pinpoint pass to complete a 2-on-1 at 3:25 to tie it at 2. Bedard stood out on big night. [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA0OTgyMTUzMjg3NTc1Mjky/usatsi_22762948_168401008_lowres.jpg] Bedard stood out on big night. Jones put Chicago ahead 3-2 with a power-play goal at 11:49, beating Gibson on the short side from the left circle with Foligno screening. Bedard ripped in a one-timer from the left circle with 29 seconds left in the period to up the Blackhawks lead to 4-2. Foligno held the puck in the Ducks zone along the right boards, passed to Kurashev who dished across the ice to Bedard. See more from Bedard in the video. Connor Bedard credits linemates Nick Foligno and Philipp Kurashev after his five-point night in 7-2 win over Anaheim. Entwistle made it 5-2 from the crease at 2:43 after Athanasiou forced a turnover. Kurashev connected off Bedard's seam pass just 27 seconds later. Set up by Bedard, Johnson completed the scoring with a power-play goal midway through the third. FIGHT INVOLVES GOALIES Anaheim goalie John Gibson was booted after joining fight. [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA0OTgyMTUzMjg3NTc1MTcy/usatsi_22762933_168401008_lowres.jpg] Anaheim goalie John Gibson was booted after joining fight. Entwistle fought rugged Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas in what became a major brouhaha at 9:18 of the third in the Chicago zone. Mrazek jumped in after Gudas had Entwistle down on the ice, then Gibson skated down the ice and joined the fray. Other players had paired off and were penalized. Both Mrazek and Gibson got misconducts. Gibson also was penalized for leaving the crease and was replaced in nets by Lukas Dostal.
