Keepin’ it rolling! The Chicago Blackhawks bested the Calgary Flames 5-2 at the United Center on Tuesday night, thanks to the second hat trick in ten games from superstar Connor Bedard. The Blackhawks have now won five of their last six contests and have earned a point in six games in a row for the first time since 2019. These kids are alright!
Bedard became the only player in the NHL this season to record multiple three-goal games… until Macklin Celebrini also accomplished the feat only a few hours later. More in the links for Bedard & Celebrini’s big nights, and their current statuses for Team Canada’s Olympic roster.
Also in Blackhawks news, prospects Nathan Behm and Roman Kantserov each found the back of the net to help their respective teams earn victories on Tuesday.
Around the league, Nate Danielson scored his first NHL goal in a win for the Red Wings, Jake Guentzel netted a hat trick to take down the Devils, and New York Islanders coach Patrick Roy had some choice words for Mikko Rantanen after he was assessed a five-minute misconduct.
All that & more in the Daily!
Chicago Blackhawks Recap, News & Tidbits
Chicago Hockey Now: For the second time in 11 days, the Blackhawks took down the Flames behind an offensive explosion from Connor Bedard. The 20-year-old forward is quickly developing into a superstar, as he’s now tied for second in the NHL with 13 goals and is solo fourth with 29 points. Here are the highlights from Bedard’s hat trick in the Blackhawks’ 5-2 win at the United Center.
More CHN: Bedard wasn’t the only player to shine in Tuesday’s win. Oliver Moore, Louis Crevier, and Ryan Donato also had standout performances against the Flames. Here are 10 observations from the third game of the Blackhawks‘ current homestand.
For the first time since 1944, the NHL had two players under the age of 21 record hat tricks on the same night. Both Bedard and his good buddy Celebrini found the back of the net three times to help lead their teams to a win. The future of the NHL is in good hands.
More CHN: Speaking of Bedard and Celebrini, Elliotte Friedman recently discussed what he’s hearing around Team Canada’s Olympic Roster with less than two months until final decisions must be made. According to the insider, the lack of big-game experience for Bedard and Celebrini has the Canadians concerned. Despite their lofty starts to the season, that could be enough to keep both players from making the trip to Milan, Italy, in February.
In prospects news, Roman Kantserov scored a highlight-reel goal for his KHL-leading 18th tally of the season in Metallurg Magnitogorsk’s 4-3 win. Kantserov is now tied for second in the league with 31 points through 28 games.
In the WHL, Nathan Behm scored the overtime winner and added two assists to help the Kamloops Blazers win 5-4 over the Tri-City Americans. Behm, a 2025 third-round pick, is now third in the league with 34 points (14G, 20A) through 22 games.
NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now
The Athletic: Projected 2026 No. 1 overall selection Gavin McKenna hasn’t had the start to his freshman season with Penn State that many folks were expecting. Not to say McKenna has played poorly, but he’s no longer considered the clear-cut top draft choice for next summer.
Sportsnet: The injuries continue to mount for the Toronto Maple Leafs. The team is already down Auston Matthews, Brandon Carlo, Chris Tanev, and Anthony Stolarz, and now, Matthew Knies is also banged up with a lower-body injury. From bad to worse for Toronto.
NHL.com: In addition to Bedard and Celebrini, a third hat trick was recorded in NHL action on Tuesday. Jake Guentzel scored three times as the Tampa Bay Lightning knocked off the New Jersey Devils 5-1.
Detroit Hockey Now: The young guns played a key role in the Detroit Red Wings‘ 4-2 win over the Seattle Kraken. Nate Danielson scored his first NHL goal, Axel Sandin-Pellikka recorded an assist, and Emmitt Finnie potted the game-winner.
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: After failing to establish himself as a regular in the lineup, the Pittsburgh Penguins cut ties with Philip Tomasino on Tuesday by placing him on waivers.
San Jose Hockey Now: Like the Blackhawks, the young & improved San Jose Sharks keep racking up wins, as Celebrini’s overtime winner carried the way to a 3-2 victory over the Utah Mammoth.
NYPost: In the final moments of Tuesday’s game between the New York Islanders and Dallas Stars, Mikko Rantanen was assessed a five-minute major penalty and game misconduct for crunching Alexander Romanov hard into the boards. Islanders head coach Patrick Roy, who’s never afraid to voice his opinion, had some choice words for Rantanen as he exited the ice down the tunnel.
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