Connor Bedard finally got his moment — and what a night it was at the United Center.
The 20-year-old superstar scored his first NHL hat trick and added an assist, leading the Chicago Blackhawks to a 7–3 victory over the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday night.
“It’s nice,” Bedard said with a smile. “Our whole team celebrates each other in moments like that. And the fans’ reaction was awesome. Obviously, you want to get a hatty anywhere, but to get one at home is special.”
A Statement Night from the Future of the Franchise
From his opening shift, Bedard looked locked in. He scored in every fashion — on the power play, with a highlight-reel rush, and a perfect shot off a faceoff — showing why he’s already one of the NHL’s most dangerous scorers.
His second goal might go down as one of the best of his young career.
After carrying the puck coast-to-coast, Bedard toe-dragged around defenseman Artem Zub and wired a wrist shot top corner. It was pure magic from a player still only 20 years old.
He later completed the hat trick just over three minutes into the third period, ripping a snap shot off a clean faceoff win from Ryan Greene.
The hats poured down from the United Center crowd — a scene fans have been waiting to see.
Game Recap — Period by Period
First Period — The Fast Start
The Blackhawks controlled the pace early with aggressive forechecking and puck support, edging the Senators 8–7 in shots during the opening period.
At 6:47, Colton Dach opened the scoring by cleaning up a rebound in front — his first of the year and a sign of his growing confidence. Rookie defenseman Louis Crevier doubled the lead at 12:06 when his point shot deflected off a Senators defender and in for his first NHL goal.
The Hawks’ power play finally connected at 17:53, as André Burakovsky found Connor Bedard in the right circle for a perfect wrist shot to make it 3–0.
Chicago’s pace and puck control left Ottawa chasing the play early. Each team took a minor penalty, but the Hawks capitalized on theirs to grab a 3–0 lead by the end of the first.
Second Period — Ottawa Pushes Back
Early in the second, Bedard struck again at 2:58, toe-dragging through traffic and ripping home a shot from the slot for his second of the night, giving Chicago a 4–0 lead.
That’s when Ottawa woke up.
Between 4:58 and 8:31, the Senators scored three straight — Jake Sanderson on a long point shot that took a strange bounce, Michael Amadio from behind the net on a wraparound, and Tim Stützle with a wrist shot off the rush to cut it to 4–3.
Chicago challenged the Stützle goal for offside but lost, earning a delay-of-game penalty. However, the penalty killers stepped up, keeping the lead intact and regaining momentum.
Ottawa pushed back hard in the second, outshooting Chicago 9–5 in the frame and cutting the deficit to one before the Hawks stabilized. For a rebuilding team still learning how to manage leads, it was a crucial test.
Chicago looked rattled after the Senators’ third goal — their 4–0 cushion evaporated fast — but what stood out was the response.
The young Hawks regrouped, tightened their defensive structure, and showed real character by shutting things down the rest of the way.
Third Period — The Response
The third belonged to the Hawks. Bedard completed his first career hat trick at 3:46, picking the corner cleanly off a Ryan Greene faceoff win to restore a two-goal cushion.
From there, Chicago imposed its will physically — Donato and Dach each landed multiple heavy hits as the Blackhawks set the tone. Ryan Donato then buried one from the slot at 8:24 to make it 6–3, and rookie Frank Nazaradded the finishing touch with a short-handed empty-net goal at 12:44.
The Hawks closed the night outshooting Ottawa 13–8 in the final frame, showing poise, discipline, and energy all the way to the buzzer.
This is the kind of period you want from your team. After a rough second, they responded the right way — capitalizing on every chance instead of sitting back. Chicago dictated the pace, finished checks, and forced Ottawa to play on its heels.
Blashill was proud of how his group handled the last 20 minutes, saying their energy and physicality made the difference.
The Hawks knew the Senators were coming off a back-to-back and took full advantage of that situation. It was a mature, composed finish — the kind of learning moment every rebuilding team needs.
Dach Finding His Game
Forward Colton Dach continued to build momentum, scoring his first of the season by crashing the net and burying a rebound in the opening period.
After admitting he struggled to stay consistent earlier in the year, Dach has rediscovered his identity — physical, engaged, and relentless. He entered the night ranked seventh in the NHL with 38 hits and continues to show flashes of a future power forward.
“My game is about being heavy on sticks and winning battles,” Dach said. “That’s the non-negotiable part of my game.”
Coach Blashill Praises Bedard’s Two-Way Game
Head coach Jeff Blashill couldn’t hide his pride postgame.
“I think Connor’s had a great start to the year,” Blashill said. “He’s defending hard, he’s stopping on pucks — doing a lot of things that create winning habits. It’s nice to see him get rewarded offensively tonight.”
Blashill’s message has been consistent: Bedard’s growth must come from both ends of the ice. And after 10 games, the message seems to be sinking in.
Game Stats
| Category | Blackhawks | Senators |
|---|---|---|
| Shots on Goal | 24 | 26 |
| Faceoff % | 43.8% (28/64) | 56.3% (36/64) |
| Power Play % | 100% (1/1) | 0% (0/4) |
| Hits | 34 | 32 |
| Blocked Shots | 15 | 17 |
| Giveaways | 14 | 9 |
| Takeaways | 10 | 3 |
Player Highlights
- Connor Bedard: 3 G · 1 A · 4 PTS · 5 SOG · 60.0 % FO
- Frank Nazar: 1 G · 1 A · 2 PTS
- Andrei Burakovsky: 2 A · 2 PTS
- Nick Foligno: 2 A · 2 PTS · 4 Hits
- Ryan Donato: 1 G · 1 PTS · 3 SOG · 6 Hits
- Colton Dach: 1 G · 1 PTS · 6 Hits
- Louis Crevier: 1 G · 1 A · 2 PTS · 3 Hits
3 Stars of the Game
1- Connor Bedard 3 G · 1 A · 4 PTS
2- Nick Foligno 2 A · 2 PTS
3- Louis Crevier 1 G · 1 A · 2 PTS
My 3 Takeaways
1️⃣ Connor Bedard’s Best Game of the Season
After 10 games, Bedard already has 12 points and his first career hat trick. He looks stronger, faster, and hungrier. Bedard put in the work this summer to add strength and detail to his game. His 200-foot play still has room to grow, but under Jeff Blashill, he’s learning the right habits.
2️⃣ Donato and Dach Set the Tone Physically
The Hawks said before the season they wouldn’t get pushed around — and last night proved it. Donato and Dach each had six hits, showing Ottawa that Chicago can play with edge. With 34 team hits, this was one of their most physical games of the year, the identity Blashill wants: fast, heavy, and defensively sound.
3️⃣ The Team Delivered Offense When Needed
For once, Chicago didn’t need goaltending to bail them out — the offense did the work. Seven goals, depth scoring, and control of the third period.
It was only the second time this season the Hawks scored more than four, and it came when they needed it most.
Game Notes
- With the secondary assist on Dach’s goal, Nick Foligno recorded the 600th point of his NHL career.
- Ilya Mikheyev missed the game with an upper-body injury sustained against Los Angeles on Oct. 26, but will travel with the team for its six-game road trip beginning Thursday in Winnipeg.
- Connor Bedard recorded his third career four-point game, tying Jeremy Roenick for third-most by a Blackhawks player before the age of 21. Only Denis Savard (4) and Bobby Hull (5) have more. His hat-trick goal also marked the 50th goal of his NHL career.
- Louis Crevier scored his second goal of the season and recorded two points in the first period, marking the first multi-point game of his NHL career.
- Ryan Donato recorded his 100th career NHL point with his third-period goal.
- Spencer Knight earned his fourth win of the season, though it was the first time his save percentage dipped below .900.
Final Thought
Connor Bedard is already becoming everything the Blackhawks hoped for — a superstar with the drive and maturity to lead. Tuesday night was more than just a hat trick; it was a glimpse into Chicago’s future.
The Hawks are playing inspired hockey, blending their young core with the steady leadership of veterans.
But now comes their toughest test yet — a grueling six-game road trip covering more than 4,000 miles, starting in Winnipeg and stretching across Western Canada with stops in Edmonton, Vancouver, and Calgary, plus a trip to Seattle, before finishing in Detroit.
This will be a defining stretch for a rebuilding team learning how to win on the road. If Chicago can carry the same energy and compete level they showed against Ottawa, it’ll prove that this group isn’t just rebuilding — they’re beginning to rise.
Next Game
Thursday, October 30, 2025, at Winnipeg Jets, Canada Life Centre, 7:00 PM CT.
KEEP READING:
Hawks Search For The Right Fit Beside Bedard
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