Connor Bedard rips first goal of 2025–26 as Blackhawks tweak top line and tempo

Connor Bedard didn’t wait long to put a stamp on Year 3. The Blackhawks star wired home his first goal of the 2025–26 season on Thursday night, a first-period one-timer that showcased the quicker release and straight-line speed he flashed all camp. The marker arrived less than 48 hours after a promising but frustrating opener in which Bedard drove play without the finish to match. Chicago still has work to do, but the face of the franchise looks sharper—and the coaching staff is already retooling around him.

A faster Bedard, a cleaner shot profile

Bedard’s goal wasn’t just a highlight; it was a thesis statement. He entered the zone with pace, drifted into a soft pocket between checks, and detonated a catch-and-shoot feed with zero dusting. That sequence echoed his preseason focus on working smarter through 82 games: more off-puck movement, quicker decisions, and fewer wasted touches. After pushing chances without payoff in the opener, he answered by converting the exact kind of chance elite scorers live on—set feet, clear lane, decisive finish.

Chicago’s staff wants more of that diet. Expect a steadier stream of early-shot looks for Bedard—slot one-timers, weak-side seams on the power play, and quick strikes off controlled entries—rather than marathon possessions that allow defenses to reset.

Line shuffles begin: finding Bedard the right running mate

Head coach Jeff Blashill wasted little time shuffling combinations, nudging Colton Dach upward for more shifts alongside Bedard. The idea is simple: pair Bedard’s east-west creativity with a straight-line finisher who can retrieve pucks and arrive on time at the net front. Early returns suggest the duo can manufacture second-chance chaos—tips, rebounds, and loose pucks that feed Bedard’s anticipation.

Look for a short leash on wingers who don’t keep up with the pace or arrive late in layers. With Andre Burakovsky offering a veteran release valve and Frank Nazar pushing play from the next line, Chicago is building a top six that can skate with anyone even if the roster is still maturing.

What the goal means in the bigger Blackhawks picture

One goal doesn’t fix structural issues, but it changes the math. Opponents now must respect Bedard’s shot from the dots, opening space for Chicago’s half-wall actions and bumper exchanges on the power play. It also calms a young bench: when your star cashes early, the group leans into details—shorter shifts, cleaner exits, and smarter line changes—rather than chasing the game.

For Bedard, the milestone matters after a full 82-game grind last year that taught hard lessons about energy management. He looks stronger through the hips, more balanced on edges, and more selective with his dekes. That combination typically translates to better finishing late in games and fewer low-percentage attempts from the outside.

Early-season checkpoints to watch

• Shot quality vs. volume: If Bedard’s average shot distance shrinks while chances remain high, expect a multi-goal night soon.

• Faceoff cadence and pace control: Quick wins at the dot fuel set plays tailored to his release.

• Power-play tempo: One-touch decisions on PP1 will determine whether Chicago climbs from last year’s bottom-third efficiency.

• Chemistry with Dach/Burakovsky rotations: The winger mix that best complements Bedard’s timing should reveal itself within a week.

the arrow points up

The Blackhawks won’t flip their rebuild with one wicked one-timer, but Connor Bedard’s first of the season is precisely the kind of play that resets expectations. He looks faster, more deliberate, and better insulated by early coaching adjustments. If Chicago keeps feeding him on-time pucks—and the top line keeps arriving in layers—the goals won’t trickle. They’ll come in bunches, and the United Center will start to feel like a place where leads grow instead of evaporate.