Connor Bedard looks like a game-time decision for Tuesday vs. Penguins

Chicago Blackhawks fans received encouraging news Monday following practice, as star center and new team captain Connor Bedard was trending towards being a game-time decision for Tuesday's game against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The 21-year-old practiced in full and skated in line rushes and power play drills, offering a preview of what the Blackhawks lineup could look like in a crucial matchup as they search for their second win of the season. Bedard is reportedly awaiting clearance to play, but his season debut appears likely.

The North Vancouver native worked on the top line with veteran winger Patrick Kane and Roman Kantserov on his wings. On the power play, Bedard was on the left flank and Kane back on the right.

With the franchise cornerstone returning, changes are expected further down the lineup. Bertuzzi is set to remain with center Anton Frondell, with Teuvo Teräväinen expected to round out the unit.

Bedard will effectively be stepping in for Frank Nazar, who will miss a second straight game while serving a two-game suspension for an illegal check to the head of New York Islanders captain Bo Horvat in last Thursday's game.

The hard-checking line of Jordan Greenway, Cole Smith and Ryan Greene is expected to stay together as well as the other bottom-six unit of Oliver Moore, Ryan Donato and recent call-up Dominic Toninato also expected to remain intact.

Bedard will look to return in style, and history suggests he could with his track record versus Pittsburgh. He has recorded points in four of his five career games against the Penguins, totaling a goal and three assists with the games fairly even and the Blackhawks winning two of the five contests with Bedard in the lineup.

Bedard’s return comes at the right time for struggling Blackhawks

If he returns against Pittsburgh, it would be at a perfect time for a Blackhawks offense that has struggled to get going. Chicago has scored just 12 goals through six games, an average of two per game, which is tied for the fourth-worst rate in the NHL.

The captain is coming off a breakout season, averaging better than a point per game for the first time in his career, setting career highs across the board with 30 goals and 45 assists for 75 points in 69 games.

His impact should be felt at the other end of the ice as well as Bedard’s defensive game went largely unnoticed last season because he played for a Blackhawks team that finished near the bottom of the league, yet he posted a positive even-strength goal differential, on the ice for 15 goals for and 14 against. 

That could provide a much-needed boost for a club that has slipped defensively early this season, allowing 26 goals through six games, working out to 4.33 per game, the third-worst mark in the league.

Few players around the NHL offer a more impactful return than Bedard, and the Blackhawks will look to build major momentum from their captain’s comeback.

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