The Chicago Blackhawks return to action tonight in Boston after dropping a tight 3–2 game against the Panthers on Tuesday.
What stood out in that opener wasn’t just the loss — it was Coach Jeff Blashill’s impatience behind the bench. Even in Game 1, he started tweaking his lines, searching for the right balance around his franchise center.
During the second period in Florida, Blashill moved Ryan Donato down to the third line and promoted Ilya Mikheyev beside Connor Bedard and André Burakovsky.
But in yesterday’s practice at TD Garden, the coach changed things again — Donato was back on line three, Mikheyev returned to his usual spot, and Colton Dach was skating on the top line with Bedard.
The message is clear: Blashill is still looking for the right combination to maximize Bedard’s production.
Who Fits Best Beside Bedard?
Last season, Bedard finished with 67 points, and the wingers who clicked best with him were Tyler Bertuzzi and Teuvo Teravainen — both collecting 18 points each when on the ice with him.
Donato wasn’t far behind with 14 points, proving there’s some chemistry there too.
Teravainen and Bertuzzi already look in sync this year, forming a productive second line with Frank Nazar, but Bedard’s line remains a question mark.
Donato’s playstyle complements Bedard’s creativity, and it’s fair to ask why he was moved off that top unit so quickly.
As for Burakovsky, his numbers suggest he’s not a natural first-liner. He’s topped 50 points only once in his career — three seasons ago — and averages around 18 goals per 82 games.
Over the past two years, his shooting percentage has dipped to 8.1%, well below league average. That explains why his goal totals have dropped. It’s not about effort — it’s about fit.
Burakovsky has usually thrived in middle-six roles, not as a top-line finisher.
Still Building the Right Core
That’s where the Blackhawks’ bigger problem lies: they’re still missing true top-six wingers. Bedard can drive play, but he can’t do it alone.
Until Chicago finds a consistent scoring threat on his wing, his full potential will be limited.
General Manager Kyle Davidson has done well stacking the pipeline with prospects like Anton Frondell, but Bedard’s development depends on having legitimate help now, not just in a few years.
The team’s rebuild is about patience, but protecting your best player also means surrounding him with the right tools.
As Blashill put it before tonight’s game:
“We haven’t force-fed Colton Dach opportunity. He’s continued to demand more. That’s the way you want it.”
Dach’s promotion is well earned — and his size and drive could give the top line a new dynamic.
Tonight’s Game
The Blackhawks face the Boston Bruins tonight at 7:00 PM ET. Alex Vlasic is expected to return to the lineup, adding some much-needed size and stability on defense.
Projected lines:
- Dach – Bedard – Burakovsky
- Teravainen – Nazar – Bertuzzi
- Donato – Dickinson – Mikheyev
- Foligno – Greene – Lafferty
Defense pairs:
- Vlasic – Rinzel
- Kaiser – Levshunov
- Grzelcyk – Murphy
Starter: Arvid Söderblom
Bottom line: The Blackhawks are still a work in progress, but the focus is clear — find the right chemistry for Connor Bedard. Once they do, Chicago’s offense will take the next step.
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