Connor Bedard delivers first career NHL hat trick in 7-3 win over Ottawa

Connor Bedard delivered a performance that will be etched in Chicago Blackhawks history on October 28, 2025, as the young superstar recorded his first career NHL hat trick in a commanding 7-3 victory over the Ottawa Senators at the United Center. The 20-year-old phenom didn’t just score three goals—he added an assist for a four-point night that showcased exactly why he was the first overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. With each goal coming off picture-perfect wrist shots, Bedard reminded the hockey world that his exceptional talent continues to develop at a remarkable pace.

The milestone evening was part of a special night for several Blackhawks players, including captain Nick Foligno reaching his 600th career NHL point, but it was Bedard’s electrifying performance that had fans tossing hats onto the ice and celebrating the arrival of a franchise cornerstone. Through ten games of the season, Bedard’s six goals tied him for the team lead, and his 12 points established him as Chicago’s offensive catalyst in what has become a promising campaign for the rebuilding franchise.

Connor Bedard first career NHL hat trick begins with power play precision

Bedard opened his historic night late in the first period with a power-play goal that extended Chicago’s lead to 3-0 at the 17:53 mark. The sequence began with Andre Burakovsky skating to the goal line from the left point and delivering a cross-ice pass that found Bedard stationed in the right circle. With the kind of precision that has become his trademark, Bedard unleashed a wrist shot that sailed over Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark’s left shoulder and into the top corner.

The goal was significant not just for its timing, but for the tactical adjustment that made it possible. Days earlier, Blackhawks coaching staff had moved Bedard to the right dot on the power play, a decision that immediately paid dividends. The new positioning allowed Bedard to leverage his lethal wrist shot from his natural shooting position, creating a weapon that opposing penalty kills will now need to account for.

“I thought it was huge, especially with the time of the game,” Bedard said after the victory. “We talked about them coming off a back-to-back last game, and if we get one of those power plays, maybe they don’t quit, but they feel it a little more. That was the importance of that 3-0 goal.”

The power-play marker demonstrated Bedard’s hockey IQ alongside his offensive skill. Recognizing that Ottawa was playing on consecutive nights, he understood the psychological impact of extending the lead before the first intermission. That awareness, combined with his execution, showed a maturity beyond his years.

A coast-to-coast masterpiece for goal number two

Early in the second period, Bedard elevated his performance to another level with a stunning individual effort that resulted in his second goal of the night and his 50th career NHL goal. At the 2:58 mark, Bedard received a pass from Matt Grzelcyk and attacked the Ottawa defense with speed and purpose. As he crossed the blue line, he employed a toe-drag move that left Senators defenders grasping at air before snapping a wrist shot from the slot that beat Ullmark cleanly.

The coast-to-coast rush showcased everything that makes Bedard special—his skating ability, puck-handling skills, vision, and finishing touch all converged in one breathtaking sequence. The goal made it 4-0 for Chicago and gave the home crowd a moment to marvel at their young star’s brilliance.

Beyond the aesthetic beauty of the goal, Bedard achieved a significant milestone with his 50th career NHL tally. He became just the seventh player in Blackhawks franchise history to score 50 NHL goals before turning 21 years old, joining an elite group that includes Bobby Hull and Denis Savard. The achievement underscored how quickly Bedard has adapted to the NHL game and how his production continues to accelerate.

The way Bedard carried the puck through the neutral zone and into the offensive zone demonstrated the kind of controlled aggression that defines elite playmakers. He didn’t rush the play or force a low-percentage shot; instead, he manipulated space, created the opening he needed, and executed with precision.

Completing the Connor Bedard first career NHL hat trick under pressure

After Ottawa mounted a furious comeback in the second period, cutting Chicago’s lead to 4-3 and threatening to complete the comeback, Bedard answered with the most important goal of the night. At 3:46 of the third period, following a face-off win by Ryan Greene, Bedard collected the puck in the left circle and fired a snap shot past Ullmark’s glove to complete the hat trick and restore Chicago’s two-goal advantage.

The timing of the third goal cannot be overstated. The United Center crowd had gone quiet during Ottawa’s second-period surge, and momentum appeared to be shifting toward the visitors. Bedard’s hat-trick goal silenced any doubts and sent the Blackhawks faithful into a frenzy, with hats raining down onto the ice in celebration.

“It’s nice,” Bedard reflected after the game. “Just our whole team celebrates each other in moments like that. And the fans’ reaction was awesome. We have so much support. Obviously, you want to get a hatty anywhere, but to get one at home is nice, and to have that support is unbelievable.”

The celebration marked a significant moment for both player and franchise. For Bedard, it represented the first of what will undoubtedly be many hat tricks in his career. For the Blackhawks organization, it served as validation that their rebuild is progressing with a legitimate superstar leading the way. Similar breakthrough moments have defined careers, and this performance could mark a turning point in Bedard’s development toward elite status.

How Connor Bedard first career NHL hat trick fits into his dominant start

Through the first ten games of the season, Bedard has established himself as Chicago’s most dangerous offensive weapon and one of the league’s emerging stars. His six goals tied him with Ryan Donato for the team lead, while his 12 points placed him atop the Blackhawks scoring race. The four-point performance against Ottawa marked his third career four-point game, tying Jeremy Roenick for the third-most by a Blackhawks player before the age of 21.

Blackhawks head coach Jeff Blashill praised not just Bedard’s offensive production, but his complete game. “I think Connor’s had a great start to the year,” Blashill said. “He’s done so many things the right way. He’s defending hard, he’s stopping on pucks, he’s doing a lot of things that create, that are winning hockey habits.”

The emphasis on defensive responsibility and “winning hockey habits” speaks to Bedard’s maturation as a complete player. While his offensive gifts have never been in question, his commitment to the less glamorous aspects of the game demonstrates leadership qualities that extend beyond point production. This well-rounded approach has contributed to Chicago’s improved record of 5-3-2 through ten games, including a 5-1-1 stretch in their previous seven contests.

Bedard’s evolution into a two-way threat makes him even more valuable to the Blackhawks’ long-term plans. Elite offensive players who also defend and compete away from the puck become franchise cornerstones who elevate entire organizations. Chicago appears to be cultivating exactly the type of culture that produces championship-caliber hockey.

As the Blackhawks prepared for a six-game road trip beginning in Winnipeg, they did so with renewed confidence and momentum. The hat trick performance against Ottawa provided tangible evidence that their young star is ready to shoulder the load and deliver in crucial moments. For Bedard, it was just another step in his evolution from highly-touted prospect to established NHL star.

Connor Bedard’s first career NHL hat trick will be remembered as the night when promise became reality, when potential transformed into production at the highest level. The three goals, each a masterpiece of shot-making, announced that a new era of Blackhawks hockey has truly begun. As the hats littered the United Center ice and fans roared their approval, they weren’t just celebrating three goals—they were witnessing the emergence of a superstar who will define Chicago hockey for years to come. With his combination of skill, intelligence, and competitive drive, Bedard has positioned himself not just as the face of the Blackhawks franchise, but as one of the NHL’s next great players.