Watch: Blackhawks' Bedard matches feat accomplished by Kane

Connor Bedard Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Blackhawks' Connor Bedard matches feat accomplished by Patrick Kane during former MVP's return to Chicago

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 2/25/24

On a night when former Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane made his first return to the United Center in an opposing team's uniform, the future face of the franchise, Connor Bedard, equaled him in the record books.

Bedard registered a second-period assist on Sunday against the Detroit Red Wings, giving him 40 points in 45 career NHL games. Ironically enough, it's the same amount of games Kane needed to reach 40 points during his rookie season in 2007-08.

BEDARD WITH THE WRISTER pic.twitter.com/kfug1EUNnQ
— Blackhawks Talk (@NBCSBlackhawks) February 26, 2024

Now, Bedard and Kane stand side-by-side, tied for the fourth-fewest games needed by a first-year player to record 40 points in Blackhawks history. Only Jonathan Toews (44), Steve Larmer (43) and Denis Savard accomplished the feat faster, per NHL public relations.

Bedard also tried to make his mark physically on Sunday. Despite still wearing extra protection following a broken jaw he suffered earlier in the season, Bedard threw caution to the win, nailing Kane with a brutal check that brought the former Blackhawks star down to a knee.

Connor Bedard lays a body check on Patrick Kane pic.twitter.com/8qodBx0Xk3
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 26, 2024

However, Kane had the last laugh. In a storybook ending Hollywood would likely reject for being unrealistic, Kane sent Blackhawks fans home disappointed, netting the game-winner in overtime to seal a 3-2 Red Wings victory.

After the game, Kane even had the last word. When asked by reporters about Bedard's hit, Kane joked, "He's lucky he had the bubble on, or I was going after him."

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