Tampa’s in Town, Bedard’s Ridiculousness at the World Juniors, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

The Blackhawks will look to pick up their first win since before Christmas tonight when the fightin’ Brandon Hagels arrive at the United Center. Tampa comes in one of the best teams in the NHL (again) this season, the Blackhawks find themselves looking up at 31 other teams in the standings. So why not bet on a miracle, right? (Do not bet on the Blackhawks.)

  • I think every sports fan in the world was at a loss for words last night when the scene at Monday Night Football came to their attention. I was watching the final World Juniors game of the night (more below) and flipped over after that crazy ending to see something I never dreamt would happen. I played football in high school and college and absolutely love the game. But moments like last night give any parent pause.
  • My heart is absolutely broken for Damar Hamlin and his family and I’m praying that he can recover to be a healthy 24-year-old. Forget football. Just to be there for his family.
  • And I’m sure this will be one of those rare instances that make players in every sport ask questions about emergency response protocols in their sport. Earlier this year we saw a scary injury when Edmonton’s Evander Kane was cut by a skate blade and he received life-saving medical care at the rink. There’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes to make sure the worst case scenario can be treated. But I don’t think anyone could have dreamt last night’s scene would ever happen.
  • In case you had forgotten, the Blackhawks own three of Tampa’s top draft picks in the next two drafts thanks to a couple trades. So it’s worth us keeping a little bit of attention on how the Bolts are performing, especially when the playoffs start.
  • Brandon Hagel comes into the game tonight with 14 goals and 14 assists in 35 games this season. Which is right about where he should be after scoring 25 total goals last year 77 games between Chicago and Tampa. To his credit, Taylor Raddysh has scored 10 goals for the Blackhawks this season. But the focus of that trade was clearly about the picks.
  • Yesterday’s World Junior Championship games were filled with drama. The second game of the day saw Sweden dramatically came back in the third period and won on a short-handed goal from Blackhawks’ prospect and Sweden captain Victor Stjernborg inside the final minute of the third period.
  • https://twitter.com/BN_Blackhawks/status/1609986054446006274

  • Not to be outdone in any way, the nightcap featured the home team in Canada against a Slovak roster that was ready for the smoke. And they wanted all of it. The game was chippy, it had it’s share of whacks and cross-checks and mouths running and emotions. Canada took a lead, and gave it back. It took overtime for a decision, and it came off the stick of Connor Bedard to cap a three-point night that put him on top of his country’s all-time leaderboard for points in this tournament, passing Hall of Famer Eric Lindros. His performance — that included ten shots — was marvelous. The OT GWG? Ridiculous.
  • Bedard set (count them) five records in total last night. He also set a new record for the most points by a Canadian in a single tournament with 21, took over the Canadian record with 13 assists in a single WJC, and passed Jaromir Jagr for the most points by a player aged 18 or younger.
  • Again, we should not be asking who the No. 1 pick is in the 2023 NHL Draft. We should be crossing our fingers, toes, rubbing our magic lamps and doing whatever else brings you good mojo/luck to help the Blackhawks win the top pick.
  • The Blackhawks prospect pool is well represented in the first college poll of the new calendar year. They have players at Nos. 2, 4, 6, 7 (except Frank Nazar isn’t playing), 11, 12 and 18.
  • The IceHogs announced Saturday that goalie Arvid Söderblom is expected to miss 2-3 weeks with a groin injury he suffered during the first period of their game on Dec. 28. So let’s all cross our fingers the Blackhawks don’t have another injury issue (or two) on their NHL roster for a couple weeks while they’re at home.
  • The NHL announced before yesterday’s Winter Classic at Fenway Park that next year’s edition will be between the two most recent additions to the league. The Seattle Kraken will host the Vegas Golden Knights. That should be a good one!
  • Finally, because there’s a chance someone on the Lightning has a big night tonight, the Bulls were on the wrong end of a historic offensive performance last night.
  • written by

    Tab Bamford has been writing about the Chicago Blackhawks for almost two decades. He joined Bleacher Nation as the lead Blackhawks writer in May 2022. Tab is a member of the Professional Hockey Writers Association and is the author of two books about the Blackhawks: "100 Things Blackhawks Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die" (Triumph Books) and "Chicago Blackhawks: An Illustrated Timeline" (Reedy Press, 2021). Find him on Twitter/X/Instagram/Threads at @The1Tab

    more blackhawks news

    World Championships Updates, Great Stars, Canes Survive, Still No Q, and Other Blackhawks Mother’s Day Bullets

    Happy Mother's Day to all of the wonderful moms out there. My sons are incredibly fortunate to have a great mom and two wonderful grandmas still in their lives. We hear Blackhawks players talk about hot much they appreciate their...

    Points Galore at World Championship, Toews Stories, Toronto Drama, OT Oilers, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

    The World Championships got started with a bang on Friday morning. Germany, without Lukas Reichel (who still wasn't on their roster), beat Slovakia 6-4. Philipp Kurashev and Switzerland rolled to a 5-2 win over Norway. Kurashev picked up an assist...

    Connor Bedard Scored Twice in His World Championship Debut!

    After finishing his Calder Trophy-caliber rookie season with the Blackhawks, Connor Bedard decided to jump right back on the ice and do his best to help Canada win gold at the World Championship. Notice the lack of the word "Junior"...

    Blackhawks Fans Guide to the IIHF World Championship

    While we're watching the Stanley Cup Playoffs without the Blackhawks, there are a few guys from the NHL roster this season competing for a championship of their own. The IIHF World Championship is taking place in Czechia from May 10-26....

    NHL Mock Draft Roundup: More Projected Picks for Blackhawks Fans to Consider

    The day after the 2024 NHL Draft Lottery I did a quick wrap of some updated mock drafts from around the interwebs to see who folks were projecting the Blackhawks to select. We've had a few more drop recently, so...

    World Championships Begin, Demidov vs Levshunov, Unbeatable Rangers, Wild Selling, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

    The IIHF World Championship begins this morning with Blackhawks forward Philipp Kurashev and Switzerland facing Norway in Game 1 of the tournament. That game begins at 9:20 AM CT. On Friday morning the lines for the game posted and Kurashev...

    UPDATE: Stadium to Partner With Standard Media Group to Build Blackhawks, Bulls & White Sox TV Network

    Over the weekend I shared a news story from Mark Lazerus and Scott Powers at The Athletic that detailed the formation of the new regional sports network (RSN) that would eventually be the home for Chicago Blackhawks, Bulls and White...

    Utah’s NHL Franchise Reveals List Of 20 Potential New Names

    If you were hoping to find out what the artist formerly known as the Arizona Coyotes / Utah's new NHL franchise's nickname could be, you might want to brace for disappointment. This week, ownership of the newest NHL franchise --...

    Luke Richardson is Suddenly One of the Longest-Tenured Head Coaches in the NHL

    When the Toronto Maple Leafs fired Sheldon Keefe on Thursday morning, it didn't surprise most people. But one aspect of the move certainly got my attention. The Leafs installed Keefe as their head coach on November 20, 2019, which made...

    Slaggert’s Path, Fight Night in Florida, Comeback Canucks, Keefe Out, College Decisions, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

    This year's NHL Draft Lottery was the first time since 2010 that no team moved up. Which was surprising, and a win for the Blackhawks. Ben Pope shared this nugget, which is also interesting. The Rangers selected forward Kaapo Kakko...

    Latest News

    NHL Playoffs Anytime Goalscorer Bets and Odds Today – May 13

    With two Stanley Cup Playoffs Second Round games on the NHL card Monday, you have plenty of chances to place an anytime goal-scorer wager. Keep scrolling for the odds on players from each matchup.Watch the NHL on Fubo!Today's Top Anytime...

    Oilers vs. Canucks NHL Playoffs Second Round Game 4 Prediction: Odds, Picks, Best Bets – Tuesday, May 14, 2024

    The oddsmakers like the Edmonton Oilers on home ice (-218) over the Vancouver Canucks (+180) when they face off on Tuesday, May 14 at 9:30 PM ET.Watch the NHL on Fubo!Oilers vs. Canucks Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Oilers (-218)Underdog: Canucks (+180)Total:...

    How to Watch Athletics Games: Full 2024 Schedule, Live Stream and More

    It's a bittersweet season for the Oakland Athletics. As they prepare to begin their move to Las Vegas for the 2028 season, the A's are looking to make their final year at the Coliseum one to remember. With a little...

    Angels vs. Cardinals: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Los Angeles Angels (15-26), with Jose Soriano on the hill, host the St. Louis Cardinals (16-24) who will start Matthew Liberatore, at 9:38 PM ET on Monday.Keep scrolling to find out all the details on how to watch Los...

    Mariners vs. Royals: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    On Monday, Josh Rojas and the Seattle Mariners (22-19) begin a series against Bobby Witt Jr. and the Kansas City Royals (25-17) at T-Mobile Park, with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET.Find out how to watch the Seattle-Kansas City...

    Diamondbacks vs. Reds: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Ketel Marte and the Arizona Diamondbacks (19-22) host Elly De La Cruz and the Cincinnati Reds (17-23) on Monday, with first pitch at 9:40 PM ET.Keep scrolling to find out all the details on how to watch Arizona play Cincinnati...

    How to Watch Padres vs. Rockies: Live Stream or on TV

    Randy Vasquez will take the mound for the San Diego Padres (22-21) when they host starting pitcher Dakota Hudson and the Colorado Rockies (12-28) in a series opener on Monday, with first pitch at 9:40 PM ET.Keep scrolling to find...

    How to Watch Dodgers vs. Giants: Live Stream or on TV

    The Los Angeles Dodgers (27-15), led by Mookie Betts, visit Michael Conforto and the San Francisco Giants (19-23) at 9:45 PM ET on Monday.Keep scrolling to find out all the details on how to watch Los Angeles take on San...

    Texas Rangers vs. Cleveland Guardians Series May 13-15: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

    The Cleveland Guardians are on the road, opening a three-game series against the Texas Rangers on Monday, May 13 at 8:05 PM ET.Rangers vs. Guardians Series Info Guardians @ Rangers Time: Monday, May 13 at 8:05 PM ET Rangers Starting...

    San Francisco Giants vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Series May 13-15: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

    The San Francisco Giants will be hosting the Los Angeles Dodgers for a three-game series, with the first matchup getting underway at 9:45 PM ET on Monday, May 13.Giants vs. Dodgers Series Info Dodgers @ Giants Time: Monday, May 13...

    more blackhawks news