The Washington Capitals will host the Chicago Blackhawks at Capital One Arena on Saturday night. The Blackhawks will be led by the NHL’s premier rookie, Connor Bedard, as he makes his first-ever visit to the Capitals’ home barn.
Bedard leads Chicago in scoring with 43 points (17g, 26a) from 49 games and that’s despite missing 14 games with a fractured jaw. He also still holds the overall rookie scoring lead, sitting six points ahead of Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber.
Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery was asked during his post-skate media availability on Saturday about the unique challenges his team will face trying to defend Bedard.
“If you give him time and space through the neutral zone it’s similar but not quite to the level, but it probably will be, to the [Nathan Mackinnons] of the world,” Carbery said. “When they get time and space through the neutral zone and they’re on the attack, look out. We have to do a job of making sure we limit his opportunities or take his time and space away when he does get the puck.”
The Capitals and Blackhawks played one another earlier this season in Chicago. Washington was 4-2 victors. Bedard earned assists on both of Chicago’s goals and played the second-most minutes of any Blackhawks player (21:34).
In his last 10 games, Bedard is on a point-per-game pace with 10 points (2g, 8a). While the rest of the league-worst Blackhawks aren’t much to be concerned about, Carbery insists that his Capitals have to be aware of whenever the 18-year-old phenom has the puck.
“The other thing – his release is right up there,” Carbery said. “It reminds me, watching the film this morning, it’s got a little bit of that [Auston Matthews] feel to it of when he pulls that puck inside. It’s really difficult to go stick on puck and it gets through defensemen’s feet and all of a sudden it’s bar down. Whether it’s him attacking and our gaps are real good so we don’t let him get into that dangerous spot inside the top of the circles where he can get that release off and beat goaltenders or it’s back pressure.
“We can’t let him get into spots because it’s just too difficult to ask your D to just nullify the shooter. It’s a dangerous, dangerous shot.”
In that previous December 10 matchup, Carbery primarily gave the Bedard assignment to Nick Jensen’s defensive pair and Connor McMichael’s forward line. He’ll have the opportunity to do the same on Saturday night.
