Hawks Weekly Updates 2/19 - Waiting Room: Connor Bedard Returns, Reichel Returns to Rockford, Hawks Break Losing Streak

He's back.

The boy king has returned from the land of darkness.

There are no housekeeping items to discuss this week, so let's dive right into hockey.

• Weekly Updates
• Game Recaps
• Week Ahead
• Sick Bay

Weekly Updates

What a week.

On Monday we initially were told that Connor Bedard would most likely be returning to the lineup in about a week. We were told of upcoming doctor appointments and reassurances of patience.

Suddenly, on Thursday morning, we're teased with a potential return of Bedard for that night's game.

We talk more about Bedard down below.

Rem Pitlick was placed on waivers on Feb. 14, which somewhat hinted at an imminent return of Bedard. Pitlick played 9 games and logged 0 points. He cleared waivers the following day.

Luke Philp, a prospect you have probably seen down in the sick bay for the past 6 months, was activated off of Injured Reserve (IR) on Feb. 13 only to be placed back on IR on Feb. 15.

Feb. 15 was when Bedard was activated (don't need to beat that exciting but dead horse). Jarred Tinordi was also activated from IR on the 15th as well.

On the 16th Luke Richardson said that Anthony Beauvillier was likely to play on Monday.

The other big news of the week was on Feb. 18. Lukas Reichel, after being scratched for 2 consecutive games, was sent down to Rockford. I'm not sure if that'll impact him positively or negatively, but something has to happen. He's much better off playing in the AHL than being benched every other night in the NHL. In 50 games he has 3 goals and 7 assists.

Game Recaps

Glossary for stats and terms can be found here.

Feb. 13 vs Canucks
Hawks lose 4-2

The Hawks managed to put 0 shots on net the whole first period until the very end. Seth Jones had the first shot of the game towards the end of the period which drew a sarcastic cheer.

An Alex Vlasic pass was picked off by Vancouver's Filip Hronek which initiated a 2-on-1. Conor Garland would fake a pass and score to make it 1-0 with 9:55 to go in the first.

The second goal would come at the 11:42 mark in the 2nd when Hronek took a slapshot which deflected off of Garland to make it 2-0.

Near the end of the period, Philipp Kurashev would make an amazing pass to Tyler Johnson who would score, 2-1.

Just a few minutes later, Nils Hoglander would make it 3-1. The defense did nothing to stop him or Elias Lindholm, who got the assist, from driving to the net.

At the 13:53 mark in the third, Dakota Joshua would make it 4-1 with a nasty backhanded shot.

The final goal of the game would come from Kevin Korchinski, on paczki night nonetheless.

Feb. 15 vs Penguins
Hawks Lose 4-1

Bedard's first game back and he reminds everyone that he is very much still in the Calder Trophy race.

The first period wasn't his greatest. But that quickly changed from the second period onwards.

The first goal would come quickly as Sidney Crosby would score 15 seconds into the game to put the Pens up 1-0.

With 7:20 remaining in the first, Reilly Smith would take advantage of a Bedard turnover and make it 2-0.

After the first 8 minutes of the second period, Bedard would make an awesome pass to Kurashev who would make it 2-1. Bedard getting a point in his return game was all I needed.

With 14:09 to go in the third, Crosby would get his second goal of the game. Bryan Rust would effectively end it with an empty net goal at the end of the game.

Arvid Soderblom was in net and the defense didn't help him out. Bedard's and Kurashev's chemistry was nice.

Feb. 17, vs Senators
3-2 Hawks Win

Finally. The 8-game losing streak is broken and the winning streak over the Senators continues, since 2017 the Hawks are 11-0-0 over the Sens.

The first goal of the game would come 13:29 minutes in when Nick Foligno put in a goal after some awesome passing from Bedard and Kurashev.

That goal is a great example of using the attack triangle to create options and lanes.

With 4:03 to go in the first, Tim Stutzle would give the Sens a goal to tie it 1-1.

That one is on Bedard. When Jaycob Megna pinches in, Bedard should have covered his spot at the point. Instead, Korchinski is left alone to fend off a 2-on-1 in which he doesn't do a good job of defending.

With 11:47 to go in the second, Jakob Chychrun would score a powerplay goal to put the Sens up 2-1. The Hawks' penalty kill had been their bright spot, even in this game. The Hawks do a great job of pressuring the powerplay and you can read more about it here.

Bedard would notch his second point of the game by scoring a goal at the 9:06 mark.

3 points in 2 games since his return keeps him ahead of all rookies for the Calder race. Sit down Brock Faber.

Bedard would then score another goal, only to have it waved off due to an offside ruling.

Chicago hockey is better with Bedard back.

With 1:52 to go in the 3rd, Jason Dickinson would put the game to bed for the Hawks' first win in a long time.

In case you're wondering, Bedard had 6 shot attempts and 5 shots on goal in this game.

Week Ahead

Bedard being back is great. It was getting pretty grueling watching this team completely suck. For now, we have something that's at least watchable as Hawks fans look forward to the draft lottery.

With February nearing the end and the trade deadline coming up, be on the lookout for my trade deadline thoughts this week. There's not much the Hawks can do at the deadline anyway.

For our Hawks, here's what's in store:

• @ Hurricanes 2/19 @ 6:00pm CT
• vs Flyers 2/21 @ 6:30pm CT
• vs Jets 2/23 @ 7:30pm CT
• vs Red Wings 2/25 @ 5:00pm CT

The only road game of the month is on Monday against the Hurricanes who have 69 points on the season and are pretty much going to the playoffs. The Flyers are right behind the Canes with 65 points but are on a bit of a downhill skid with 4-5-1 in their last 10. The Jets are still great with 71 points in the Central. Finally, the Red Wings are fighting for a Wild Card spot with 62 points.

The Red Wings game is one not to miss. Not only will Chris Chelios be retiring his number, Patrick Kane will be facing the Blackhawks for the first time and it's his first time back to the United Center.

Sick Bay

• Taylor Hall – Knee/Out for season
• Andreas Athanasiou – Lower body/week-to-week
• Anthony Beauvillier - Wrist/unknown
• Connor Murphy - Lower Body/day-to-day
• Nikita Zaitsev - Knee/unkown
• Lukas Philp – Undisclosed/unknown

Let's Go Hawks!