It may have taken a bit longer than many had expected, but Connor Bedard is finally in the preseason scoring column.
After threatening to score all night in Tuesday’s tilt against the Red Wings, Bedard put the puck in the empty net with just over a minute left in the game:
It was a nice goal, and the closest to a “sure thing” we’ve seen in quite some time simply because of whose stick it came from. He wasn’t too happy about it, though. In fact, his reaction says it all:
If he hasn’t made it clear before, Bedard’s putting the world on notice that he’s never satisfied. Other rookies would have been pumped about their first goal, but not him. Either way, a goal’s a goal. That one has to be a relief.
Maybe the power play isn’t a concern after all?
On a more important note, the Blackhawks’ final power play of the night seemed to put many of the concerns about the team’s PP unit to rest – for now. After finishing last season close to the bottom of the power play percentage standings, many thought the unit would be fixed with all the acquisitions brought in over the summer. However, the unit’s slow start was concerning, even through just a few games. But the team’s 0-for-11 cold streak was finally snapped tonight with a pair of goals on four attempts, including the empty-netter.
It wasn’t just that the puck happened to go in twice tonight – Chicago seemed to have figured something out. Bedard and Taylor Hall in particular looked much more comfortable, and Bedard found himself set up near the goal line on the left most of the time. There, he was able to dictate the flow of the unit more effectively. It’s still early, of course, but if the Blackhawks have indeed figured something out with the man advantage, all signs point to the unit having a big season.
The Blackhawks finally seem to have solved their power play woes, and this time, Bedard was the beneficiary. There’s no doubt we’ll see many more goals from the young star in the future – maybe even some he’ll be happy about.
