The last time Alexander Ovechkin played in Chicago, he needed a hat trick to reach 800 career goals. He got it, and got a respectful sticktap from Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane — both of whom were still Blackhawks at the time. Fast forward to Dec. 10, 2023 and Ovi has fewer goals (5) and points (15) in 23 games than Connor Bedard does for the Blackhawks. I’m excited to see the first round of Ovi vs. Bedard this evening at the United Center.
Ovechkin might have fewer points than Bedard, but we’re waiting for an offensive explosion from Bedsy. Since his back-to-back multi-goal games in Florida on the moms trip, Bedard has scored only twice in 13 games. He does have six assists in that span and has only gone back-to-back games without a point once, but you can tell he desperately wants to score a goal and it just hasn’t quite been there. He only has two goals in 12 games at the United Center to start his career; he has nine goals in 14 road games to date. The good news is the Blackhawks won their second consecutive game last night — the first time this year they’ve won two in a row.
Can we take a moment to appreciate Petr Mrazek? He went almost seven full periods of ice time without allowing a goal (from the middle of the second period against Minnesota to late in the third period last night). I know we talked about him yesterday, but when you’re that close to pitching back-to-back shutouts when you personally hadn’t had one in almost four years and the Blackhawks hadn’t had back-to-back shutouts as an organization since 2017, we’re going to keep the props distribution cannon warm. In the final year of his contract, his play this season has been terrific. Which begs the question: is he playing himself into increased trade value? Or is he playing himself onto a couple more years in Chicago to help lead the next generation of netminders? I’m okay with either direction but would like him to be around longer because he’s just a great dude who works hard.
Jason Dickinson has been soooooo good lately. He’s been so good that Mrazek joked after the game last night that the “hometown hero” might be the Blackhawks’ all-star if he doesn’t slow down his offensive production (Dickinson grew up in Georgetown near Toronto). I keep going back to this, but he only had one point in the entire month of October — a goal on opening night in Pittsburgh. Since the start of November, Dickinson has 12 points (8 goals, 4 assists — all at even strength) in 17 games. You know who else has scored 8 goals since the start of November? Auston Matthew, Artemi Panarin, Zach Hyman, Charlie Coyle, Tyler Seguin and Jake Guentzel. So maybe, just maybe, Mrazek isn’t as crazy as that all-star claim might feel on the surface? Here’s what head coach Luke Richardson had to say about his hottest forward last night:
“He’s been confident in himself, skating really well. In the first period, we really noticed him in between periods and a lot of clips that he’s just flying. He was just feeling good and skating, and I know he’s been banged up a little bit, playing through injury, but he’s going to the right places, he’s going to the net. Even two out of the three goals in Toronto, he’s right in by the crease and getting shots to the net. And I think tonight going to the backdoor was perfect play. And I think it started probably for us seeing it was at the end of last year, when he had a lot more responsibility, playing up in the lineup, and still checking and doing his penalty killing role. I think he’s just feeling confident in his game. And we’re even seeing it in the faceoff circle as well.”
Patrick Kane scored his first goal for the Red Wings last night. On the power play. With an assist from Alex DeBrincat. This came after one of the more scary moments I can remember in recent memory on NHL ice when Dylan Larkin was motionless on the ice after getting hit from both sides by Sens. I’m not going to share that that video here but you can click on the embedded link if you choose to see the play. He was able to get up and get off the ice with assistance but that was an awful moment.
Richardson has been complimentary of Louis Crevier‘s pretty much daily since he got called back to Chicago. His teammates have been, too. And one thing everyone notices when they’re around him is his enormous smile. It lights up the room. He’s loving life in the NHL just like he did in the AHL. Ben Pope wrote a terrific story about his positive vibes.
Nick Lardis HAD. A. NIGHT. He scored three times with an assist in a huge comeback win for the Bulldogs. He’s now tied for second in the OHL with 23 goals. His 132 shots on goal also rank third in the OHL. That’s pretty good for a young man in his post-draft season. Love to see it.
With 35 points, Lardis is tied for 14th in the OHL with, among others, Gavin Hayes. Hayes has 19 goals and 16 assists. I don’t think either of them is going to touch the 127 points DeBrincat put up for Erie in his post-draft season, but the way Lardis is going right now 50 goals might not be out of the question. And DeBrincat’s 65 goals for Erie during the 2016-17 season is the last time a Chicago prospect did that.
Martin Misiak is going to take off for the World Juniors soon, but he pitched in two points for Erie last night. He’s quietly just churning along at 26 points (13 goals, 13 assists) in 28 games in his first season in the OHL.
Finally, a team from Washington is at the UC this evening but a team from Detroit is playing outdoors on the lakefront at noon. Bear Down!
NEWSLETTER
