Blackhawks star Connor Bedard returns from injury

Guess who's back? Back again. Bedsy's back. Tell a friend. That's right, Blackhawks fans! Connor Bedard will make his return to the Blackhawks lineup when the Chicago Blackhawks take on the Washington Capitals on Friday.

The 20-year-old missed the past 12 games with a shoulder injury he suffered on Dec. 12 in the Blackhawks' 3-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues.

Bedard said he feels good and is excited to be back out on the ice after being sidelined. "It's obviously a huge boost," said Blackhawks assistant coach Mike Vellucci. "He's a big part of our team, and he was playing really well before he got hurt."

Before his injury, Bedard was one of the top 5-10 NHL point scorers with 44 points (19 goals, 25 assists) in 31 games, making him an offensive threat to the Blackhawks' lineup.

The Blackhawks struggled early on in his absence, but have found a way to win games of late. Chicago is a perfect 4-0 in 2026 and is looking to win its fifth straight. The streak is the team's longest this season.

Bedard's return also comes when he was left off of Team Canada's roster for the 2026 Olympics in Milan, Italy. However, he is considered a possible injury replacement, so there is still a chance he could play for Canada in the Olympics.

With Bedard back, the offense should be more dangerous. According to Ben Pope, he practiced on the first power play unit, giving the man advantage a boost. The Blackhawks hope his return will help build on their recent success and climb back into a wild-card spot.

The Blackhawks will be back in action on Friday for a back-to-back set against the Washington Capitals. They'll be in Nashville Saturday to face the Predators. The game comes on at 7 p.m. CST on CHSN (in-market) and NHL Network (out-of-market). Fans can also tune in on WGN Radio 720.