The Winnipeg Jets fly to Chicago for a Thursday night game against the Blackhawks and Connor Bedard.
Bedard, the first overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, made his season debut for Chicago on Tuesday night. The 21-year-old recorded an assist for the Blackhawks, who earned their second victory of the season by beating the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins 5-3.
He injured his left shoulder during a training session more than three months ago, and while he’s better known for his offense, Bedard used that same shoulder for a hit early in Tuesday’s game.
“It felt good,” he said. “If it wasn’t feeling good, I wouldn’t be out there. I remember last year when I came back (after a right shoulder injury), I got blown out my first shift, so I’m happy it wasn’t that.”
After leading the Blackhawks with 45 assists and 75 points in 69 games last season, Bedard is expected to give Chicago a much-needed boost on offense. Even after Tuesday’s scoring outburst, the team’s 2.43 goals-per-game average after seven games ranks sixth lowest in the NHL.
On Tuesday, he played alongside Blackhawks legend Patrick Kane, a 500-goal scorer who returned to Chicago in the offseason. Another former top draft pick, Kane played in the Windy City from 2007 to 2023 and helped lead the team to three Stanley Cups.
“We did some good things as a line, and we had some looks,” Bedard added. “I don’t want to pump him up too much, but you watch a guy your whole life, and obviously getting to play alongside him, to have him on our team means so much to us.”
The Jets come into Chicago after beating the Minnesota Wild 5-2 at home Tuesday. One of the more surprising teams early on this season, the squad has won four of its last five. That’s without the services of goalie Connor Hellebuyck, whom the team suspended after not reporting for preseason camp and demanding a trade.
Winnipeg has relied on Stuart Skinner (3-0-1, 2.47 goals-against average) in net while their Vezina Award-winning netminder remains out. In four games, the former Edmonton Oiler has posted a .917 save percentage. He’s also earned praise from Jets fans who have already rolled out the “Stuuu” chants after his saves.
“Stu’s got a ton of playoff experience,” forward Cole Koepke said after Tuesday’s win. “He’s been to a couple Cup finals and knows what it takes to go the distance through playoffs. So for him to put himself in a position to come here and play and want to get to the playoffs is really reassuring as well.”
Skinner is 5-0 in five starts against Chicago with a 1.98 GAA and a .925 save percentage.
Koepke scored his first goal of the season against the Wild, a reassuring sign for the team. Through the first six games, the Jets’ top line — Kyle Connor, Cole Perfetti and Mark Scheifele — has accounted for 13 of the team’s 18 goals.
The Jets will likely face Spencer Knight (2-3-0, 3.64) in goal. Knight has a 1-2-3 record lifetime in six games against the Jets, with a 3.65 GAA and an .887 save percentage.