Blackhawks rookie Connor Bedard is well aware many in the hockey world were hoping he would burst onto the scene with a big showing in his nationally televised NHL debut Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews — certainly he’s studied the first games of those greats, right?
“Haven’t looked at any. I mean, you’ve seen Matthews but I’m sure there have been a couple that didn’t score four goals,” Bedard said with a sly smile after morning skate.
The Hawks kicked off a five-game road trip (their sixth season opener on the road) Tuesday with a 4-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Bedard recorded his first NHL point in the game, a second-period assist. He passed down low to Alex Vlasic, whose rebound set up Ryan Donato.
Cole Guttman tied the game on a power-play goal in the third. Jason Dickinson’s diving one-timer gave the Hawks the go-ahead goal with 4 1/2 minutes left, and Corey Perry dished to Nick Foligno for an empty-netter to make it 4-2 with 90 seconds remaining to seal the upset.
“It was a lot of fun,” Bedard said after the game. “I mean, to get the win, I think obviously being down two and coming back like we did, I think it’s awesome for our group. I think you remember it with a little better taste in your mouth when you win.”
Bedard, 18, seemed calm in the hours before puck drop at PPG Paints Arena, just ready to play after being prophesied as hockey’s second coming since he was 13 years old.
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“I’m really excited and anxious to kind of get things going,” Bedard had said before the game. “It’s just a very special moment and I’m really grateful for the Blackhawks in the end trusting me with that draft pick and having me here. I just can’t wait.”
Coach Luke Richardson said, “It’ll be the longest afternoon of his life probably today waiting. But I think once he gets on the ice, that’s where he feels most comfortable.”
Before the game, Bedard and Kevin Korchinski took rookie laps on the ice.
At puck drop, Bedard faced off against his childhood, Sidney Crosby. Crosby won.
Bedard’s first shot attempt was blocked by defenseman Erik Karlsson at the 2:44 mark. Bedard took his first official shots on goal back-to-back 5 1/2 minutes into the game.
Dickinson thought Bedard looked great.
“He fit right in. He didn’t look like a young kid trying to find the game,” Dickinson said.
“He’s just all business,” Richardson said of Bedard after the game. “That’s the way he’s looked since he’s gotten here.”
The Hawks beat the third-best odds to win the lottery and the chance to draft a consensus generational talent.
But even generational talents can feel somewhat edgy about one of the biggest moments in their young career.
“A little, I guess,” Bedard responded when asked earlier in the day if he felt any nerves.
“Yesterday I was really nervous and then today I feel fine,” he said. “And tonight I’m sure there’ll be some butterflies.
“I think nerves are good. Shows you care. Everyone’s different, but for myself, if I’m nervous, you’re really excited and anxious to get going, and that’s a good thing.
“You don’t want to be gripping-your-stick nervous, but just a little butterflies and excitement I think is a good thing.”
He eventually got over that uneasiness Monday night.
Slept “like a baby,” he said.
Hawks general manager Kyle Davidson has watched how Bedard has handled the mountain of scrutiny and expectation: “Unbelievable.”
“The attention, the level of demand on him has been very high, unlike anything that I’ve seen for a young player since I’ve been around the Blackhawks,” Davidson said. “He’s handled it with a maturity so far beyond 18 years.
“He doesn’t get much of a break coming in with some national (TV) games. Pittsburgh, Boston, Montreal, Toronto — it’s serious stuff. But he’s handled it very well and I have no hesitation he’s going to continue to handle it in a very professional manner.”
Bedard’s parents, Tom and Melanie, and sister Madisen came to watch him play in his first game against his childhood idol, Crosby.
Bedard got to meet Crosby during the NHL player media tour this summer.
“He’s such a good role model for kids and the hockey community in itself,” Bedard said. “Getting to spend a lot of time with him, just seeing how much time he takes for everyone and treats everyone with respect. Just seems like an amazing person.
“Of course what he does on the ice is remarkable, top-five player of all time probably. But off the ice, it’s just as remarkable.”
Crosby ranks 15th all-time with 1,502 points, a long road ahead for anyone who wants to emulate him.
“He’s got a whole career ahead of him,” Richardson said of Bedard. “He doesn’t have to crush the world tonight, all in one game.
“But I think he probably wants to do that. … I think he likes the big moments. I think this is going to be a special night for us to all be involved.
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“And I’m just happy to be in the first seat, right behind, watching.”