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The Connor Bedard show rolls into town today, as the 18-year-old hockey phenom makes his first stop in Winnipeg as an NHLer. (He played here multiple times over the past two years as his Regina Pats faced the Winnipeg Ice in the Western Hockey League, never winning a game, as he pointed out on Friday).
The No. 1 overall draft pick from last summer and his Blackhawks teammates will be facing a Jets team that should be an ornery bunch, considering they’re now on a season-high three game losing streak after Thursday’s 3-1 heartbreaker against another the Edmonton Oilers.
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Chicago is coming off a 5-1 loss in Detroit, a game in which Bedard failed to score for a fourth straight outing despite a season-high seven shots on goal. He did register an assist and is up to 18 points (10 goals, eight assists) in 21 games to lead his team (by six points) and all NHL rookies (by four points).
“It’s okay. Obviously, struggling to score a bit right now. Hopefully that comes,” Bedard said following his team’s practice on Friday in Winnipeg. “I’ve had a good amount of games where I’ve had a lot of looks, so just keep trying to be good offensively and to try and create.”
No doubt the Jets and their fans hope that breakout doesn’t happen this afternoon.
Connor Hellebuyck vs. Arvid Soderblom is the goalie match as these two teams play the first of four head-to-head games this year.
Let’s get you set for puck drop.
NOTE: The latest edition of our monthly Jets mailbag will drop on Sunday. Final call to send your questions to Mike and Kenny via email (you can simply reply to this message) or social media at your convenience.
FROM THE PRESS BOX
MIKE SAYS: In addition to obviously keeping an eye on Bedard — the kid sure looks like the real deal — I’ll be watching to see if Winnipeg’s rather sleepy offensive attack can get a much-needed wake-up call. Just one even strength goal over the last three games, and three goals overall, isn’t nearly enough, especially with a group that has so much firepower up front.
Perhaps a rather porous Chicago blue-line will be the cure for what ails them.
Speaking of defence, it will be interesting to see how Declan Chisholm looks as he plays his first NHL game of this season, and just the third of his career. There’s no question he’s proven himself at the AHL level, and now he gets an opportunity he’s been waiting a while for including a look on the second power play unit.
Nate Schmidt will be a very expensive healthy scratch (US $5.95 million) for already the third time this season after producing just one assist through 20 games.
Finally, I’d expect another good crowd on hand. Chicago always seems to draw well around here, and that was before they lucked into a potentially generational talent like Bedard. After drawing a season-high 13,611 on Thursday against the Oilers (thanks, Connor McDavid), I wouldn’t be surprised if this one is even higher — especially if plenty of our neighbours from Saskatchewan make the short drive east to see their former junior star now shining bright on the biggest hockey stage.
KEN SAYS: The Jets are testing out a new second line, with Cole Perfetti moving back to the middle with Alex Iafallo and Gabriel Vilardi, who is getting bumped up after returning to action on Thursday and playing just over 13 minutes after missing the previous 18 games with a knee injury.
Kyle Connor has been held without a goal in four consecutive games, though it was not for a lack of scoring chances in Thursday’s loss to the Oilers. Connor had three shots on goal and seven shot attempts, so it seems like only a matter of time before he dents the twine again.
Chicago Blackhawks Connor Bedard has 18 points in his first 21 NHL games. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press)
As for the Blackhawks, this is my first opportunity to watch Bedard live and it should be fun to see him put his skills on display. That wicked shot was evident during Friday’s practice and you can be sure the Jets will be working hard to try and limit his opportunities. Bedard is doing a great job both on and off the ice and it’s going to be a treat to watch him for years to come in the Central Division.
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