The Leafs have held Bedard to just one assist across two career matchups against the Blackhawks.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have managed to limit Connor Bedard to just one assist in two career matchups, but the challenge of containing the 19-year-old isn’t getting any easier. As the Chicago Blackhawks visit Scotiabank Arena on Monday, the Leafs are aware of the threat Bedard poses – particularly through the similarities found in his release and Auston Matthews-inspired shot.
Bedard has been on the record saying he emulates and studied Matthews growing up, becoming a student of the game and carving a similar style of quick release and pinpoint shot of the three-time Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy winner.
(Bedard is an) elite shooter,” head coach Craig Berube said after practice on Monday. “Does a lot of little things with his shot. Push and pull stuff. And it gets through all the time. He's got an elite shot. And really good vision. He sees the ice very well and knows where people are and can make plays. He's going to be a good player. He is a good player. He's only going to get better.”
According to Berube, the influence drawn from Matthews for the 2023 first-overall pick is evident in some aspects.
“A little bit, yes. For sure,” Berube said of the comparisons. “The push and pull stuff like that. Those guys don't really one-time pucks often. Not that they can't. They will. But it's more of the release. The quick release. And the little things he does with his release. So, he studied a good player.”
Bedard currently leads the Blackhawks in assists (14) and points (19) while being on a three-game point streak heading into Monday's clash with the Leafs.
The Defensive Plan
For the Leafs, countering Bedard means eliminating his time and space while limiting what he’s capable of doing offensively. Defenseman Philippe Myers, who draws back into the lineup for injured Jake McCabe, emphasized the need to make Bedard uncomfortable.
“Obviously he's got a lot of skill. Great shot. I think for us it's just trying to take away his time and space and not let him be comfortable out there,” Myers said. “And play him hard. So hard and physical and take away his time and space.”
Chris Tanev, who has spent the summer months working out with the up-and-coming superstar, understands the tall task at hand – recognizing the difficulty of defending against his deceptive shot.
“I know how good of a player he is and how skilled he is. He's obviously world-class talent and they're playing well of late so I mean we've got to be ready to go tonight,” Tanev said.
“They (Matthews and Bedard) both like to pull it. They change the lane quite a bit so I mean it's hard to pick up for goalies and there's a lot of deception in it for sure.”
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Though a small sample size, the Leafs have managed to find success, holding him to just one point across two games. At the end of the day, Bedard isn’t just a goal-scoring threat, his vision and playmaking ability make him equally as dangerous. Despite his skill, the club has executed defensively, keeping the 2023-24 Calder Memorial Trophy winner in check.
As Tanev points out, although the Blackhawks hold an overall record of 8-14-2, Chicago had three straight games with a point, including a win over the defending Stanley Cup Champions, the Florida Panthers before their recent two-game skid. There is still momentum for them to draw upon and the Leafs’ ability to neutralize Bedard will be the key to success on Monday night.