Playing with a charismatic fearlessness, Bedard dazzled in Chicago's 4-2 comeback win
PITTSBURGH — Connor Bedard skated into the faceoff circle, saw one of his idols standing across from him and tried to soak in the moment.
“I think, for me, it’s just trying to get better every shift, every game,” Bedard said. "I created a bit. There’s obviously things I can get better at. But felt pretty good.” Chicago trailed 2-0 when Crosby began his 19th season by scoring his 551st career goal, a shot into an open net off a pass from Jake Guentzel 11:56 into the second period.
“I feel like that was a complete game,” Dickinson said. "We played the full 60. We stuck to our game plan. We played a hard game. It’s nice when you get rewarded.”Crosby and Bryan Rust scored for the Penguins, who had their run of 16 consecutive playoff appearances end last spring thanks in part to a late-season pratfall against the Blackhawks. Pittsburgh retooled over the summer, including adding three-time Norris Trophy-winning defenceman Erik Karlsson.
Bedard's arrival in the NHL had been anticipated for years, much like Crosby's when the Penguins grabbed him with the top overall selection in 2005, all of 13 days after Bedard was born. His arrival in Chicago has given the beleaguered franchise a much-needed jolt even though there almost certainly will be some growing pains on a team that's missed the playoffs five of the last six seasons as the dynasty that won three Stanley Cups between 2010-15 faded.
While he didn't win that opening faceoff — he didn't win many, going just 2-for-13 on draws — once the puck was in motion, Bedard was frequently a blur.
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