Connor Bedard notches first career hat trick in Blackhawks' 7-3 win over Senators

Connor Bedard probably had the best game of his young career Tuesday night.

The 20-year-old phenom recorded his first career NHL hat trick in the Chicago Blackhawks' 7-3 win over the Ottawa Senators at the United Center during Frozen Frenzy night. He also picked up an assist for a four-point night.

"It's nice," Bedard said. "Just our whole team celebrates each other in moments like that. And the fans' reaction was awesome. We have so much support. Obviously, you want to get a hatty anywhere, but to get one at home is nice, and to have that support is unbelievable."

With the win, the Blackhawks improve to 5-3-2 of the season and are 5-1-1 in their last seven games.

Another fun fact: Bedard is the seventh player in Blackhawks franchise history to score 50 or more goals before turning 21 with his 51st career goal. He is creeping up on Blackhawks legend and future Hockey Hall of Famer Patrick Kane, who scored 53 goals with the Blackhawks before turning 21.

Big Night for the Blackhawks

The Blackhawks started the game strong, jumping out to a 4-0 lead in the second period (three goals in the first period and one in the second). Ottawa battled back in the second, scoring three straight goals to pull themselves back into the game. But the Hawks ran away with the game in the third period with three goals to hold on for the win.

Bedard had one goal in each period. He now leads the team in goals (6) and points (12) this season.

How the Goals Happened

Bedard's first goal of the game came on a slick wrist shot from the right circle on the power play to make it 3-0 Hawks.

His second goal came in the second period as he went coast-to-coast and did a toe-drag move, scoring from the slot to make it 4-0 Chicago.

The third goal, and the hat trick goal, came in the third period off of a faceoff win. Bedard got the puck, and snapped it glove side past Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark.

"I think Connor's had a great start to the year," Blackhawks head coach Jeff Blashill said following the win. "He's done so many things the right way. He's defending hard. He's stopping on pucks. He's doing a lot of things that create winning hockey habits. He's created a lot of offense that hasn't always ended up in goals necessarily, whether it's him or making a pass. It just hasn't for whatever reason, but there's been certainly those opportunities where he's, you know, for nights like this and so for him to get rewarded for that, I think is great."

This wasn't just Connor Bedard leading the way. It was a strong, valuable team effort as well. Louis Crevier had a goal and an assist. Frank Nazar chipped in a goal (short-handed), and Ryan Donato had a goal in the victory.

It was a huge night for Chicago and one of their best games of the season up to this point. Now, as the dust settles, the Blackhawks head out on a six-game road trip against Jonathan Toews and the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday.

Puck drop is at 7:00 p.m. CDT. Fans can tune in to CHSN (in-market) and ESPN+ (out-of-market) to watch the game or listen in on WGN Radio 720.