Connor Bedard is on FIRE! But can he keep it up? Last night, he single-handedly dismantled the Calgary Flames, securing a hat trick and propelling the Chicago Blackhawks to a decisive 5-2 victory. This win extends the Blackhawks' impressive point streak to six games, showcasing a team that's suddenly clicking. But here's where it gets controversial... Is Bedard carrying the team, or is the team elevating him?
By Bruce Miles, NHL.com Independent Correspondent, November 19, 2025
The United Center roared as rookie sensation Connor Bedard notched his second NHL hat trick, leading the Chicago Blackhawks to a commanding win over the Calgary Flames. This wasn't just any win; it was a statement, marking their sixth consecutive game earning at least a point (5 wins, 0 losses, and 1 overtime loss). For those new to hockey, a "point streak" means the team has earned at least one point (either for a win or an overtime/shootout loss) in each of those games.
Bedard's performance is nothing short of spectacular. He now boasts an incredible 22 points (11 goals and 11 assists) in his last 11 games. And this is the part most people miss... his first career hat trick was just a few weeks ago, on October 28th, against the Ottawa Senators. This kid is consistently delivering!
Wearing the “A” as an alternate captain for the first time, Bedard shared his enthusiasm: “It’s been fun. We’re obviously early, 19 games in, but it’s just been a lot of fun. We’re so determined to go out there and win. You know, even today, we give up a goal, obviously get them back into the game end of the second, right at the start of the third they score, that’s something that can deflate a team, but we go back out there, we get another one, then we get another one. We’re just really determined. We have a lot fun together. We love each other and we want to play for each other. That’s shows a lot.” It seems like the team chemistry is as strong as Bedard's shot!
Oliver Moore contributed a goal and an assist to the Blackhawks' victory, while goaltender Arvid Soderblom stood tall, stopping 19 shots. The Blackhawks’ record now stands at an impressive 10-5-4.
Veteran forward Ryan Donato emphasized the need for consistency: “You've got to be on every night, it's an everyday league. Obviously, we're feeling good and all that stuff is great in the locker room, all the fun things that come with winning, but you can't dwell on the past, right? If we lost tonight, I think the feeling in the locker room would be obviously very much different. Guys are understanding that you have to do it every night.” The pressure is on to maintain this winning momentum!
For the Flames, Rasmus Andersson had a goal and an assist, and Matt Coronato also found the back of the net. Goalie Dustin Wolf made 18 saves, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Blackhawks' offensive onslaught. The Flames' struggles continue, as their record drops to 5-13-3, with a dismal 1-4-1 record in their last six games.
Andersson didn't mince words about his team's performance: “Pretty bad game by us, honestly. First two periods weren’t good enough. We know we played bad, and we still end up with 2-2 in the third. We’ve got to find a way to get at least one point with us, and we didn’t. Sloppy game. Bad game from our side.” Honesty is a good first step towards improvement, but can the Flames turn things around?
The game unfolded with Donato opening the scoring for the Blackhawks in the first period, capitalizing on a deflection from a long-distance shot by Louis Crevier. Bedard then extended the lead in the second period with a highlight-reel goal, showcasing his puck-handling skills and determination.
Coronato narrowed the gap for the Flames with a power-play goal, while Andersson tied the game early in the third period. However, Bedard quickly responded with his second goal of the night, regaining the lead for Chicago. Moore added another goal, and Bedard sealed the victory with an empty-netter, completing his hat trick and sending the Chicago crowd into a frenzy. It's worth noting that empty-net goals can be tricky; players often miss because of the added pressure, but Bedard delivered with confidence.
Flames coach Ryan Huska was visibly disappointed: “I don’t think it was a very good game before that or after that. I think our penalty kill did a good job, power play scored two games in a row. There was a lot to our game that I don’t think was very good tonight.”
Key Stat: Bedard joins an elite group of Blackhawks players, becoming only the fourth in franchise history to record multiple hat tricks before the age of 21. He follows in the footsteps of Alex DeBrincat, Jeremy Roenick, and the legendary Bobby Hull. That's some serious company!
Waiver Wire Move: The Calgary Flames claimed forward John Beecher off waivers from the Boston Bruins on Tuesday, hoping to inject some new energy into their lineup. Will this addition make a difference?
So, what do you think? Is Connor Bedard the real deal, or is he just benefiting from a hot streak? Can the Blackhawks sustain this level of play, or will they come crashing back down to earth? And what about the Flames – can they find a way to turn their season around? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
