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RECAP: Bedard scores twice in 4–3 overtime win in Ottawa

  
RECAP: Bedard scores twice in 4–3 overtime win in Ottawa
The Chicago Blackhawks beat the Ottawa Senators 4–3 in overtime behind the two-goal effort of Connor Bedard. (Photo courtesy of Justini Tang / The Canadian Press)

Frank Nazar scored 48 seconds into overtime to give the visiting Chicago Blackhawks a 4–3 victory at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa. The goal gave Nazar a three-game goal streak to close the season as the quick skating forward continue to impress Connor Bedard.

“He’s been unbelievable, like, how much better he’s getting every game,” Bedard said of Nazar. “Just the way he uses his speed, and he thinks the game so well. Guys get pushed back so much when he’s out there. His growth has been remarkable in the last, I’d say, like, 20 games.”

The Blackhawks finished the season on a 4–1–1 streak and a 25–46–11 over 82 games, which is a nine-point improvement over the 2023–24 season.

Bedard added two goals and an assist in Ottawa, giving the 19-year-old phenom 23 goals and 44 assists on the season. The second-youngest player in the league made it through his sophomore campaign playing all 82 games and will be a better leader down the road for having lived through it.

First period

Bedard got the party started at the 1:08 mark of the first period when former Blackhawks goaltender Anton Forsberg could not stop the beautiful wrist shot from Bedard for his 22nd goal of the season, assisted by Ryan Donato and Kevin Korchinski.

Chicago would beat Forsberg again for the 2–0 start when Joe Veleno fired a snap shot behind the struggling 31-year-old Swedish goaltender. The goal, Veleno’s eighth of the season, was assisted by Oliver Moore and Nick Foligno.

Ottawa would answer back less than a minute later when Nick Cousins beat Chicago goaltender Spencer Knight for his sixth goal of the season.

Second period

Chicago would surrender the lead on the penalty kill when defenseman Thomas Chabot fired home his ninth goal of the season after a Bedard hooking penalty a few short seconds earlier.

With the score tied 2–2, Bedard avenged his penalty with a power-play goal of his own to give the visitors the 3–2 lead at the 2:24 mark of the middle frame. Bedard’s 23rd goal of the season was assisted by Tyler Bertuzzi and Sam Rinzel.

Ottawa would finish off all the scoring in regulation at the 15:06 mark of the period when winger Drake Batherson scored his 24th goal of the season to tie the game at 3–3.

Third period

Neither team could grab a lead in the third period, giving Hawks fans some free hockey in the final game of the season.

Overtime

Nazar lit the lamp for the game-winning goal less than a minute into the extra frame with a one-timer from Bedard. The goal, Nazar’s 12th of the season, was assisted by Bedard. While he did not get an assist on the play, Rinzel deserves kudos on the play, having forced Tim Stutzle to turn over the puck to start the Hawks’ transition. Rinzel also drove the net on the play to open the drop-pass lane for Nazar’s tally.

Analysis

Finishing off the season on a 4–1–1 mark was exactly what the young Blackhawks needed. The young core showed flashes of excellence based around their speed and skill. General Manager Kyle Davidson had a vision of speed and the fans got a quick glimpse of it late in the season.

Bedard’s sophomore season is over and the 19-year-old had his ups and downs just like any youngster would at that stage in his career. Not many players can have 150 games of NHL experience before they hit their 20th birthday, but the former first overall pick is one of them. The sky is the limit as Davidson will have the ability to start stacking talent alongside Bedard and not just warm bodies to get to the salary cap floor, apparent in Bedard’s first two seasons in the league.

The list of young players gaining valuable experience this season is aplenty. The defensive core the other night was younger on average than the NCAA national champion Western Michigan Broncos’ blue line average age. As fans, the rebuild should be turning the page as we start to see the talent stockpiled throughout the organization every night on the ice. However, the expectations of contending are still a few seasons away.

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