Chicago Blackhawks phenom Connor Bedard set to face two NHL icons this week

The Chicago Blackhawks finally won consecutive games. If they hope to achieve an official win streak, they will have to defeat the Washington Capitals and the Edmonton Oilers.

Neither team is a juggernaut as they are on the outside looking in at the current playoff picture.

It does not mean the Hawks have an easy opportunity to pick up four points in the standings this week. We are still talking about the second-worst team in the NHL.

The Capitals come to the United Center just three points out of the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. They still have Alex Ovechkin who is still going strong despite being 38.

The future Hall of Famer has 15 points on the season which ties him for the team lead. He has five goals on the season and needs 68 more to break Wayne Gretzky’s NHL goals record.

The Chicago Blackhawks then have to travel to Edmonton to face the Oilers and superstar Connor McDavid. The three-time Hart Trophy winner has 34 points on the season for an underachieving Oilers club.

These two upcoming matchups are also Connor Bedard’s first opportunity to face these NHL icons.

The phenom has been living up to his draft hype. Bedard has 11 goals and 10 assists on the season so far. Bedard is the clear frontrunner to win the Calder Trophy. He has been must-see television much like Ovechkin and McDavid are.

All three are No. 1 overall picks spanning over three decades. This is going to be a showcase of the NHL’s past, present, and future superstars. Although, Ovechkin is far from done.

These are the types of games the NHL needs to hype up much like they promoted the Chicago Blackhawks taking on the Pittsburgh Penguins at the start of the season. Bedard made his NHL debut as he faced his hero, Sidney Crosby. The league did a great job of trying to draw in the casual fan.

Although the problem with these two games is Washington is in the building on a day the NFL is in full force. The Hawks and Edmonton are skating at 9pm CST on Tuesday. ESPN is carrying the game.

Even with the late puck drop, it will be worth it to stay up to see Bedard and McDavid go at it. Those two were both billed as franchise saviors before they were drafted. Although Edmonton has done nothing but fall short of expectations since he arrived. The rest of the talent around Bedard is weak at best.

Still, both games should be a show. Hopefully, all three put on a good one.