Bedard Picks Up Assist and Win in NHL Debut

Good morning. Didn’t it feel so good to have hockey back last night?!

Cale Makar dominated yesterday’s poll, collecting 63.2% of your votes as the one defenseman you wish was on your favorite NHL team. Adam Fox was second but not particularly close while Charlie McAvoy and Roman Josi earned write-in votes.

Today we ask you to call on your Nostradamus skills and predict the future.

- Brandon Rubeo & Kevin Allen

Today’s Lineup:

• Bedard registers 1st NHL point and win

• Nikita Kucherov and Nick Paul score twice

• Golden Knights win on EPIC banner raising night

• And a lot more… 👇

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Bedard Picks Up Assist and Win in NHL Debut

The Connor Bedard Era launched Tuesday with the dynamic rookie recording one assist in the Chicago Blackhawks’ come-from-behind 4-2 upset against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Bedard posted a team-high five shots on goal in 21:29 minutes of playing to help the Blackhawks erase a 2-0 deficit to win their road opener.

Bedard lined up against his childhood idol Sidney Crosby to start the game. The 18-year-old from British Columbia was born 13 days before Crosby was drafted by the Penguins.

Wearing a mic, referee Kelly Sutherland welcomed Bedard to the NHL on national television.

Bedard is considered a generational talent, a player with the ability to change the direction of a franchise.

His first point came on a secondary assist on Ryan Donato’s second period goal that started Chicago’s comeback. The Donato goal cut Pittsburgh’s lead to 2-1. Bedard is playing on Chicago’s top line with Taylor Hall and Donato.

Bedard is beginning his NHL career with a five-game road trip that will include stops in Boston, Montreal, Toronto and Colorado.

Bedard (18 years, 85 days) is the fifth-youngest active NHLer to post a point in his NHL debut, behind Florida Panthers forward Aleksander Barkov (18 years, 31 days on Oct. 3, 2013), Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon (18 years, 31 days on Oct. 2, 2013), Crosby (18 years, 59 days on Oct. 5, 2005) and Edmonton Oilers forward Evander Kane (18 years, 62 days on Oct. 3, 2009).

But not everything went right for Bedard in his first NHL game: Bedard was 2-for-13 on face-offs.

⚡️ Nikita Kucherov & Nick Paul each scored twice to lead Lightning to 5-3 win over the Predators. Jonas Johansson made 29 saves in his Tampa debut, Brayden Point collected three assists, and Brandon Hagel scored on a 3rd period penalty shot to ruin Andrew Brunette’s coaching debut with Nashville. Read more →

👑 Adin Hill made 23 saves and Jonathan Marchessault scored the game-winner as Golden Knights down the Kraken 4-1 on banner raising night. The reigning Stanley Cup champs established a 2-0 lead in the 1st thanks to Stephenson and Marchessault goals, followed by a Barbashev snipe in the 2nd, and Jack Eichel’s late empty-netter. Jared McCann scored his 1st of the season for the Kraken. Read more →

Nikita Kucherov scored the 1st official goal of the 2023-24 NHL season. Who scored the 1st official goal of the 2022-23 NHL season? Hint: the game was in Prague.

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• Kings confident pieces are in place to win Stanley Cup

• New player-friendly culture could lead to Flames surprising season in 2023-24

• Bedard looking ahead after memorable NHL debut with Blackhawks

• Garland's trade request interrupts Canucks' serenity ahead of season opener

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• Bruins to begin centennial season with red-carpet arrival, home game against Blackhawks

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• Work on keeping your hands off your body and still maintain a powerful shot to score more goals

• Mike Mottau discusses the benefit of being an undersized defenseman and the importance of utilizing your head to defend

Kiefer Sherwood of the Nashville Predators scored the 1st official goal of the 2022-23 NHL season.