Bedard gets an assist for Chicago’s win vs Penguins in NHL opener

Connor Bedard, who was a first pick at the draft, had an assist in the his NHL debut, helping the Chicago Blackhawks beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-2 on Tuesday night.

The 18-year-old Bedard played over 21 minutes in the season opener, often sharing the ice with Crosby, who, he said, is one of his idols. Bedard had five of Chicago’s 35 shots.

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Crosby began his 19th season by scoring his 551st goal, a shot into an open net off a pass from Jake Guentzel midway through the second period for a 2-0 lead.

The Blackhawks roared back behind a goal from Ryan Donato — with a secondary assist from Bedard — in the second period. Cole Guttman tied it midway through the third, and Jason Dickinson gave Chicago the lead with 4:31 remaining on the clock.