After missing 12 straight games due to a shoulder injury, Connor Bedard could be back on the ice for the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday night.
Per NHL insider Frank Seravalli, Bedard is “trending toward” playing against the Washington Capitals at the United Center.
Bedard was injured in the final second of Chicago’s 3-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Dec. 12. He appeared to take a hit to his shoulder on a face-off with Brayden Schenn.
There have been indications recently that Bedard is getting closer to playing again. He returned to practice on Tuesday for the first time since the injury occurred.
“I feel good, feel really good,” Bedard told reporters after getting back on the ice. “Obviously got out with the guys a little bit today and kind of just keep ramping up. It feels really good though.”
Blackhawks head coach Jeff Blashill said after that practice that Bedard wouldn’t play in Wednesday’s game against the Blues, but they would take a day-to-day approach with him after that.
Chicago lost its first five games without Bedard, but it has rebounded recently with four consecutive wins. The Blackhawks are 5-6-1 overall during this 12-game stretch.
Bedard was having the best season of his young career prior to the injury. The 20-year-old has 44 points in 31 games, 10 more than anyone else on the Blackhawks roster even though he has missed nearly one full month.
The Blackhawks are currently sixth in the Central Division standings. They are three points behind the San Jose Sharks for the final wild card spot in the Western Conference.
Chicago hasn’t made the playoffs since the 2019-20 season. It hasn’t advanced past the first round of the postseason since winning the Stanley Cup during the 2014-15 season.
