Connor Bedard Set to Return Tonight, Rescuing the Blackhawks' Offense

Watching the Chicago Blackhawks without Connor Bedard is an exercise in pure sickos-only hockey, but thankfully, the drought is over.

According to Elliotte Friedman, Blackhawks coach Jeff Blashill expects his franchise cornerstone back on the ice tonight.

"CHI coach Jeff Blashill said Connor Bedard returns tonight, assuming final check from doctors goes right"

Pending one final thumbs-up from the medical staff, the NHL's premier highlight machine is officially back online.

Chicago desperately needs the juice. They just got outscored 9-3 in back-to-back losses to the New York Islanders and Carolina Hurricanes, looking exactly like a team whose entire offensive game plan is currently sitting in the trainer's room.

Tonight's matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins suddenly becomes appointment television. From a betting perspective, Bedard's return completely nukes whatever under-the-radar totals you were looking at for Chicago, instantly raising the ceiling on their shot volume and power-play potential.

If the doctors give the green light, expect him to come out firing. A rested Bedard with a mandate to shoot is exactly the kind of chaos the Blackhawks need to get their season back on track.