Connor Bedard was back in the lineup for the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday, and the results were encouraging. In his first game of the season, the Blackhawks captain picked up an assist as Chicago beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-3 at the United Center.
The win was Chicago's second of the season and snapped a two-game slide. It also came after Bedard missed the Blackhawks' first six games while recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, making the night an important step in both his return and the team's early-season reset.
Bedard eases back in
Bedard's path back started on Oct. 5, when he began skating with the team in a noncontact jersey. He then took part in his first full practice on Sunday and his second full practice on Monday before rejoining the lineup against Pittsburgh on Tuesday.
He finished with an assist and said after the game that it simply felt good to be back. Bedard added that the energy around the game felt pretty good and that his line created a decent amount of looks.
Blackhawks coach Jeff Blashill said Bedard played pretty good, noting that there were moments of rust but also plenty to like considering the amount of time he missed. Blashill also praised the work Bedard put in to get back as quickly as he did, calling it a sign of his commitment to the team.
Chicago gets a needed result
The Blackhawks entered the night after losing two in a row, so the timing of the victory mattered. Bedard said getting the win was obviously what matters, even if there are still areas the team can clean up.
That balance is the main takeaway for Chicago. The Blackhawks did enough to beat a Penguins team led by Sidney Crosby, but the bigger picture is that Bedard's return gives the club a much more familiar face at the top of the lineup. For a team trying to settle in early, that matters as much as the final score.
The game also featured a notable milestone for another former Blackhawks star. Patrick Kane's 894th career assist tied Phil Housley for the all-time lead among American-born players.
For Chicago, though, the focus was Bedard's return and a much-needed win. After missing the first six games, he is back in the lineup, the Blackhawks are back in the win column, and the season can finally start to feel a little more settled.
