Chicago Blackhawks star rookie Connor Bedard made a surprise early return to the lineup against the Pittsburgh Penguins after missing six weeks due to a fractured jaw sustained in an injury on Jan. 5 and undergoing surgery on Jan. 8. Despite the Blackhawks' 4-1 loss, marking their eighth consecutive defeat, Bedard's performance was a highlight. He earned an assist and was noted for his significant improvement after the first period, showcasing his skills with five shot attempts, including three on net, in 21:17 of ice time. Bedard, who still leads all rookies with 33 points and 15 goals, had been practicing in a non-contact jersey and underwent a final doctor's appointment and imaging before being cleared to play. His return brings a much-needed boost to the goal-starved Blackhawks.
10 moments from Connor Bedard’s return to the Chicago Blackhawks https://t.co/EWyMq0iq1l
It had been 41 days since Connor Bedard touched ice with an opponent on the other side, but it didn’t take long Thursday before he flashed a sign of his old self. https://t.co/XS9EE7N5vp
Anthony Beauvillier (wrist) is practicing with the team. #Blackhawks https://t.co/jnzJ0Lphmx
Blackhawks practicing the power play with Bedard this morning: https://t.co/ZdhCo1YKq1
After a very bleak five-plus weeks, Connor Bedard is back. And he brings some much-needed excitement and optimism with him, writes @ByScottPowers: https://t.co/X5FY4Ie5Pp
After a whirlwind 24 hours of doctors appointments and convincing the Blackhawks to let him play, Connor Bedard not only graced United Center ice again last night but looked just as confident and creative as always. Story: https://t.co/bwWJ2sT6vr
Connor Bedard needed a period to get going again after nearly six weeks off, but the last 40 minutes were a good reminder just how special he is and can be. My column from last night: https://t.co/NLB2Xg69DM
Connor Bedard is back. He found his mojo as the game progressed tonight, finishing with one assist and four shots on goal in 21:17 of ice time. "Every day...you could see he wanted to go, wanted to go. Finally, they let him." Postgame story: https://t.co/bwWJ2sT6vr
Connor Bedard on whether he was targeting tonight vs. Pittsburgh as his return date all along: "Personally targeting? Probably earlier. But obviously you've got to be safe and smart.” #Blackhawks https://t.co/G30oaiC0Hk
FINAL: Penguins 4, Blackhawks 1 Connor Bedard earns an assist in his first game back, but the Hawks still lose their 8th straight.
Connor Bedard had a tough first period. He’s been Chicago’s best player by a mile since then. #Blackhawks
2nd intermission: Penguins 2, Blackhawks 1 Bedard giving the Hawks life in this one. Shot attempts: 27-37 PIT Shots on goal: 19-19 Scoring chances: 13-21 PIT
The Penguins lead the Blackhawks 2-1 after two periods. Both teams with 19 shots on goal. Bedard had five shot attempts, including three on net, in the period.
Saucy pass by Connor Bedard, who records a primary assist in his return to action. #Blackhawks https://t.co/hqzWWR2b9t
Bedard played seven shifts and had 4:48 of ice time, attempted zero shots, recorded one hit, was 0-for-2 on faceoffs and his line was on the ice for both Penguins' goals.
GOAL, Penguins. Hawks trail 2-0. Bedard cross-ice pass intercepted, then Reilly Smith cooks Bedard on the rush the other way. Tough shift.
GOAL, Penguins. Hawks trail 2-0. Bedard cross-ice pass intercepted, then Reilly cooks Bedard on the rush the other way. tough shift.
GOAL, Penguins. Hawks trail 1-0 after 15 seconds. Crosby beats Bedard on the opening faceoff and then tips in a goal immediately. Left wide open in front.
Looks like Connor Bedard will face the #Flyers on Wednesday. https://t.co/kt6q7yQ3aT
A nice little cheer goes up as Connor Bedard hits the ice for warmups.
Connor Bedard is returning to the Blackhawks lineup Thursday night against the Pittsburgh Penguins. https://t.co/Z0VmT86b5U
Can Connor Bedard still win the Calder Trophy? Here's where things stand as Bedard makes his return tonight vs. the Pittsburgh Penguins https://t.co/r5uIHReMur
Blackhawks rookie Connor Bedard will be in the lineup Thursday night when the Hawks face the Penguins at the United Center, sources told the Sun-Times, after receiving clearance from doctors. https://t.co/CWIXBtZm0N
Connor Bedard to make a surprise return tonight for the Chicago Blackhawks after missing nearly 6 weeks with a broken jaw https://t.co/SVCMTv78bp
Blackhawks' Connor Bedard to return vs. Penguins ⤵️ https://t.co/0k59br47Wk
Reports: Connor Bedard to make surprise return tonight against Pittsburgh https://t.co/Webs5muv6y
Sources: Bedard back with Blackhawks Thursday https://t.co/cs65hMJ2TH
Connor Bedard is returning to the Blackhawks lineup tonight against the Pittsburgh Penguins, sources told @emilymkaplan. https://t.co/QnVJs7PTzr
The return is earlier than expected for Bedard, who fractured his jaw six weeks ago. Thursday's game is at the United Center in Chicago. https://t.co/O5C1nSru2C
Blackhawks' Connor Bedard set to make surprise early return on Thursday vs. Penguins https://t.co/QzxY2Bj6qh
#Blackhawks' Connor Bedard set to make surprise early return on Thursday vs. Penguins https://t.co/hmQqEvXg72
#Blackhawks rookie phenom Connor Bedard set to make surprise early return on Thursday vs. Penguins, a source confirmed to @NBCSChicago: https://t.co/Pa6FVSd5vT
Connor Bedard will play tonight. What does that mean for the Blackhawks? (Duh, goals.) Are they rushing him? Quick thoughts from @ByScottPowers and me: https://t.co/Mg1hSNWgCt
Connor Bedard will play tonight. Story from @MarkLazerus and me: https://t.co/OXZMImOBZl
Chicago #Blackhawks star rookie Connor Bedard is set to return to the lineup tonight against the Pittsburgh Penguins after missing 14 games with a broken jaw: https://t.co/R6HuGhEKgC
Guess this confirms Bedard is back tonight against Pittsburgh. https://t.co/Atx4cMJFzQ
Connor Bedard returns to the Blackhawks lineup tonight, source says. Bedard, who broke his jaw on Jan 5, has been practicing…but hadn’t been cleared for contact. I’m told he skated with the extras this morning & coaches put him through some contact drills —which went well.
I was off by two days, but no surprise Connor Bedard beat his original timeline. #Blackhawks https://t.co/29FtMPhVk3
Connor Bedard returns to the Blackhawks lineup tonight, source says. Bedard, who broke his jaw on Jan 5, has been practices but hasn’t had any practices w/ contact. I’m told he skated with the extras this morning and coaches put him through some contact drills —which went well.
This would seem to indicate that Connor Bedard is returning tonight vs. Pittsburgh. He’s back. #Blackhawks https://t.co/lqVAhzTRjK
About as official as we're going to get until Luke Richardson talks at 5. Looks like Connor Bedard is back. https://t.co/OJlCzhStKU
Connor Bedard is indeed going to play for the Hawks in Pittsburgh tonight.
Sounds like Connor Bedard will indeed make a surprise early return against the Penguins tonight. Can’t wait to hear the crowd reaction. As of Monday, Luke Richardson thought Bedard wouldn’t be available until next week. We’ll find out later what changed.
In the air flying from Atlanta to Chicago after @NHL_On_TNT to work @penguins game on @SNPittsburgh tonight. Bedard might be back for the @NHLBlackhawks https://t.co/p8uHsg2sN2
👀 I’m told there’s a good chance we’ll be seeing Bedard 98 is making his return to the lineup tonight for the @NHLBlackhawks . Here’s a closeup of his @sherwoodhockey pattern. He told me he uses a whippy 70 Flex and “likes the stick to some of the work.” 🛌 🔥🥅 #HockeyX… https://t.co/4BCedfwtPQ
👀 I’m told we’ll be seeing Bedard 98 is making his return to the lineup tonight for the @NHLBlackhawks . Here’s a closeup of his @sherwoodhockey pattern. He told me he uses a whippy 70 Flex and “likes the stick to some of the work.” 🛌 🔥🥅 #HockeyX #HockeyTwitter https://t.co/dwAROmryQJ
Blackhawks' Connor Bedard could make surprise return on Thursday vs. Pittsburgh https://t.co/7PYBgYo9SQ
Could #Blackhawks rookie phenom Connor Bedard make a surprise return tonight vs. Pittsburgh? 👀 https://t.co/tOfhGIvCeK
As @Tramyers_NHL pointed out, Bedard hasn't taken any contact at practice since the injury. This would be very much out of the ordinary. https://t.co/DvQjLkcHa1
It sounds like Connor Bedard had an imaging scan on Wednesday morning and he was hoping to practice with the team. We’ll see if he makes a surprise return tonight. There’s no morning skate, so he’d be thrown right into the fire if he does. #Blackhawks https://t.co/UHA5yNc197
Word this morning that Blackhawks and Connor Bedard are checking in with doctors about the possibility of playing tonight vs Pittsburgh. We will see what the day brings, but the good news is his return is close
Connor Bedard is skating on a line with the extra forwards (Lukas Reichel and Rem Pitlick). #Blackhawks https://t.co/h1sPSDKavY
Connor Bedard on the ice before practice wearing a non-contact jersey. #Blackhawks https://t.co/41iPXiKrr4
In an utterly shocking development, Connor Bedard is on the ice, skating long before Blackhawks practice starts.
Connor Bedard still in the green non-contact jersey for morning skate. https://t.co/UJ39ogWKHy
Connor Bedard is on the ice before morning skate in a non-contact jersey. #Blackhawks https://t.co/N62wyGGJHe
Connor Bedard is a week away from being evaluated to make contact for the first time since undergoing surgery Jan. 8 to repair a fractured jaw suffered three days earlier in a collision with the New Jersey Devils’ Brendan Smith. https://t.co/2cvr5lxDkd
The Chicago Blackhawks hope star rookie Connor Bedard can return to game action next week after missing six weeks with a fractured jaw. The No. 1 overall pick still leads all rookies with 33 points and 15 goals. https://t.co/chfeWUmyYK
Blackhawks' Bedard (jaw) could return next week https://t.co/dHojzq66g0
Injury return in sight for Chicago Blackhawks’ Connor Bedard? https://t.co/QNPu2pZOEZ
The five weeks Connor Bedard has missed so far due to his broken jaw have felt more like five months. But his absence is nearly over. New story: https://t.co/dIunpcvA60
The five weeks Connor Bedard has missed so far due to his broken jaw have felt more like five months — for the goal-starved Blackhawks. The Hawks expect the 18-year-old forward to return to action next week, coach Luke Richardson said Monday. https://t.co/N9vt8A6PWq
Connor Bedard's timeline for return to #Blackhawks starting to crystallize https://t.co/37Mr4eDkOU
"He'll need a few practices once he gets released from [the non-contact jersey]. And then he'll be ready to go." Connor Bedard's timeline for return to #Blackhawks is finally starting to crystallize: https://t.co/PepiklBmxm
Here's what Luke Richardson had to say today about Connor Bedard's expected return to the Blackhawks' lineup next week: https://t.co/dIunpcvA60
Connor Bedard will remain in the non-contact jersey this week. Luke Richardson is hopeful he begins practicing early next week and could be ready for games shortly after that.
The Blackhawks expect Connor Bedard to return to action next week. He’ll have his “hopefully final” doctor’s appt and imaging next Monday.
Luke Richardson said Connor Bedard will wear a non-contact jersey the rest of the week but they’re hoping he can be cleared for practice next week. #Blackhawks
Blackhawks practicing power-play entries this morning. On the other rink, Bedard and Athanasiou are skating in non-contact jerseys alongside some of the depth forwards. https://t.co/VcGLJRGdLM
Connor Bedard taking slap shots. He could return next week. #Blackhawks https://t.co/QImiXn9P6D
Connor Bedard, Anthony Beauvillier and Andreas Athanasiou are all skating before practice in non-contact jerseys. #Blackhawks https://t.co/mGjSLUjF2y
Bedard, Athanasiou and Beauvillier on the ice before Blackhawks practice https://t.co/ubEWM3n21j