Connor Bedard is finally having his moment, and the Chicago Blackhawks couldn’t be happier.
The 20-year-old phenom lit up the Ottawa Senators with his first NHL hat trick Tuesday night, leading the Hawks to a dominant 7-3 win. His three-goal performance wasn’t just special for him – it might be exactly what Chicago needs to end its frustrating playoff drought.
“It’s pretty surreal,” Bedard said, grinning as he held the game puck. “You dream about moments like this as a kid.”
The Blackhawks haven’t made the playoffs since 2017, but Bedard’s breakout third season is giving fans real hope that’s about to change.
He’s been on fire through the first three weeks of the 2025-26 season. Tuesday’s performance showed exactly why he was such a highly-touted prospect when Chicago drafted him first overall back in 2023.
The young star made it look easy against Ottawa. His first goal came on a wicked wrist shot that left Senators goalie completely frozen. The second? A beautiful end-to-end rush that had the United Center crowd on their feet.
But it was his third goal – the one that sealed his first career hat trick – that really brought the house down.
The Hawks have been waiting for this version of Bedard. After solid but unspectacular first two seasons, he’s playing like the franchise cornerstone they desperately needed.
“He’s just scratching the surface,” said Blackhawks head coach. “The scary thing is, he’s only going to get better from here.”
