Against Anaheim, the Blackhawks decided to put Connor Bedard with Jason Dickinson and Joey Anderson. It worked; Bedard had the primary assist on two goals from Dickinson. In the next game, the same line rolled out against the defending Stanley Cup champions and they were dominated by Sacha Barkov’s line. While they didn’t give up anything to the Panthers, they didn’t generate anything, either. Which led to a great deal of second guessing from fans and media alike.
So here’s Bedard’s time on ice at 5-on-5 from yesterday’s overtime loss in Philly. Everyone wanted Bedard to skate with more offensive linemates and that happened early on Saturday. Clearly there were better/more offensive opportunities. But we can’t blame the coaches for leaving him with Dickinson and Anderson or for forcing him into a checking line role if that didn’t happen. He hit a post on the power play, which felt like it might have opened the flood gates for him and the Blackhawks at the time. But it didn’t go in, his goalless streak continues — as does his frustration.
With that being said, and I’ve pointed this out too many times to count at this point: the Blackhawks biggest issue is playing with the puck. When they have it, they’re relatively okay. But they don’t have it nearly enough. And a big part of that is because they’re awful as a team in the faceoff circle. I noted this in my postgame takeaways: Blackhawks not-named Jason Dickinson won just 13 of 40 faceoffs yesterday. That’s 32.5 percent against a Flyers team that’s middle of the pack in the NHL at the dot. I know there are some media folks in Chicago who have always discounted the importance of faceoff wins but you can’t play with the puck if you’re chasing the whole time.
Why did the Blackhawks start overtime with Dickinson on the ice with Bedard? Read my previous bullet.
I’ve been saying it for weeks, but it still needs to be said: the “fourth” line of Pat Maroon, Luke Reichel and Craig Smith needs to be on the ice more frequently. Smith and Reichel were the lowest ice time recipients on the roster on Saturday. Reichel put five shots on goal in 12:54. Smith put two shots on goal in 12:53. Which means they put seven shots on goal in under 13 minutes of ice time. Which means the rest of the Blackhawks’ roster — 16 guys for 47 minutes — put 14 shots on goal.
This is fascinating. Are the Blackhawks not getting calls? Or are they so pedestrian offensively that teams are able to defend them without making mistakes? My eye test tells me it’s a mix of both of those realities. Obviously getting power plays would help the offense — and guys like Bedard get going. But that also goes back to having the puck.
Blackhawks have had just one power play opportunity in five straight games.
That’s a franchise record and the longest such streak by any team since 2019.— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) November 23, 2024
The St. Louis Blues made a shocking move on Sunday morning, firing head coach Drew Bannister and replacing him with Jim Montgomery. I have no doubt this news will be received rationally by the Chicago fan base…
How about some Blackhawks prospect highlights?
There’s a new Blackhawks prospect on a heater right now. Jack Pridham joined the Kitchener Rangers a week ago and he’s done nothing but light up the box scores since. Last night he scored two goals and had a gorgeous, no-look assist in a 4-0 Rangers win. Pridham now has four foals and four assists in five goals since making the move to the OHL.
🚨 No. 1 on Saturday night for #Blackhawks prospect Jack Pridham for @OHLRangers
pic.twitter.com/yY1Ai6ByCI
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) November 24, 2024
🚨 No. 2 (& third point) on Saturday night for #Blackhawks prospect Jack Pridham for @OHLRangers
pic.twitter.com/8adGkpRV9v— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) November 24, 2024
Let’s stay with Blackhawks prospects smoking the OHL and move over to one of the hottest prospects in the league, Nick Lardis. Yeah, he scored another goal last night
🔥🔥🔥🔥
Saturday night 🚨 for #Blackhawks prospect Nick Lardis for @BulldogsOHL
pic.twitter.com/IXF9wKKCec— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) November 24, 2024
Alex Pharand has one assist for Sudbury last night.
John Mustard scored this goal for Providence in their 4-3 win over LIU.
Saturday night 🚨 from #Blackhawks prospect John Mustard for @FriarsHockey
pic.twitter.com/TX8eK3Ylb1
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) November 24, 2024
Minnesota beat Notre Dame 5-3 last night. Sam Rinzel was credited with two assists and six shots on net. Oliver Moore won 11 of 24 faceoffs and scored this pretty goal.
Saturday night 🚨 for #Blackhawks prospect Oliver Moore for @GopherHockey
pic.twitter.com/lP1YPFOBP0
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) November 23, 2024
Denver was undefeated before the weekend, and then they got swept by Arizona State. But Aidan Thompson scored again to stay hot for the defending champs.
Saturday night 🚨 for #Blackhawks prospect Aidan Thompson for @DU_Hockey
pic.twitter.com/avOLBqZks4
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) November 24, 2024
Sacha Boisvert scored this goal for North Dakota last night. It was the only goal in the game for either side. He also won four of five faceoffs.
Saturday night 🚨 for #Blackhawks prospect Sacha Boisvert for @UNDmhockey
pic.twitter.com/LdapoFL78V
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) November 24, 2024
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The Bulls got a highlight reel filling performance from Matas Buzelis last night.
Matt wants the Bears to feed DJ Moore.
The Cubs signed another reliever.