The Chicago Bulls didn’t get to play their game against the Miami Heat on Thursday because of condensation on the court. Maybe that was the United Center’s way of preparing fans of the comeback of their hockey team’s superstar.
Chicago Blackhawks star Connor Bedard returned to the lineup for Friday’s game against the Washington Capitals. It was the center’s first start since Dec. 12.
Bedard partially practiced with the team Tuesday in a noncontact sweater. He upgraded to a normal red practice jersey at morning skate and then the black No. 98 at puck drop.
“(It’s) uncontrollable (getting hurt) in sports, so you try and take the time to work on the stuff you can,” Bedard said after the morning skate. “No one wants to have anything happen, but it’s a part of the game.”
The starting lineup was announced: Nick Lardis at right wing, Oliver Moore at center and Bedard as the left winger. The Hawks faithful roared as the 20-year-old’s name was called.
That was essentially the only thing the Hawks gave the crowd to cheer. Alex Ovechkin and the Caps crashed the Bedard return party and took all the fun for themselves.
The Hawks fell 5-1 on Friday night for their first loss of 2026, snapping a season-high four-game winning streak.
“I don’t think we did a good enough job creating our own energy,” defenseman Matt Grzelcyk said. “There wasn’t much flow to the game.”
Goaltender Drew Commesso didn’t get the chance to settle down as the Capitals rang three first-period goals on the 23-year-old. Former Hawk Anthony Beauvillier (4:03), Connor McMichael (15:07) and Ethen Frank (18:54) all contributed to the nightmare opening period for Commesso.
Ovechkin scored at 13:33 of the third period after a Hawks giveaway. It was his 916th career goal, extending his all-time goal record.
Photos: Washington Capitals 5, Chicago Blackhawks 1
Bedard tried his best to lift the offense, but to no avail. That has been a common story for the Hawks forward.
“It was one of those games where the puck was bouncing around a little bit, tough to get a lot of crisp pucks,” Bedard said. “We obviously have to be better as a team.”
Bedard didn’t show any signs of rust. He let three shots on goal rip in the first period and four for the game.
Bedard missed 12 games because of a separated right shoulder suffered Dec. 12 in a 3-2 road loss to the St. Louis Blues. Center Brayden Scheen drove through Bedard to prevent a last-second shot, and the Hawks forward skated off the ice in clear pain.
The Hawks went 5-6-1 without their star but had strung together four straight wins before his return.
“As soon as you can get somebody (with) Connor’s ability back in the lineup, we want to get them as fast as possible without obviously putting them in jeopardy,” assistant coach Mike Vellucci said.
Bedard has 44 points (19 goals, 25 assists) in 32 games after going scoreless Friday. He was making his case for the Hart Trophy before he went down with the injury.
He trails only legendary right winger Eddie Olczyk for the most goals (65) and points (180) in Hawks history before turning 21. Bedard, who turns 21 on July 17, has 64 goals and 172 points in his career.
Bedard will return to his top center spot eventually, but when you think of a Bedard-Moore-Lardis line, you think of goals. A lot of them.
Blackhawks center Oliver Moore (11) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Capitals in the second period at the United Center on Jan. 9, 2026, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Moore scored the power play at 8:48 of the second period, and the trio had eight shots on goal for the night. But Bedard was shifted around, ending the prospect of the offensive line.
“We wanted to give it a try and you never know until you give it a try,” Blashill said. “I can’t say they didn’t play well, (but) we didn’t have much going and it continued through the night.
Added Bedard: “Two very dynamic players. It was short-lived. We played the first period together, but (they’re) two guys that have really come into their own and are going to be great players.”
There’s a bug going around that has bitten multiple Hawks. Ilya Mikheyev, Louis Crevier, Arvid Söderblom and Spencer Knight — who was supposed to start in goal — all missed Friday’s game.
The Hawks called up Commesso and defenseman Kevin Korchinski from the Rockford IceHogs. The emergency goaltender was Dave Nozzolillo.
“It’s one of those nights that happens in the league, (it) happened to us tonight and it’ll affect us again tomorrow,” Blashill said. “We have plenty of guys good enough to go win a hockey game.”
Korchinski, a 2022 No. 7 pick, recorded 19 points (two goals, 17 assists) in 32 games with the IceHogs this season. His assists and points total led Rockford defensemen.
Korchinski struggled mightily in his return to the main roster. He allowed multiple scoring chances and was a minus-3 in 13:53 of ice time.
Commesso, a 2020 second-round pick, went 6-11-3 in 19 games with a .909 save percentage and 2.72 goals-against average. He made 19 saves Friday.
Blashill’s still figuring the goalie situation in terms of who will start against the Predators on Saturday in Nashville, Tenn.
“I do not know how I’m going to deal with the goalies for tomorrow,” Blashill said. “I don’t know for sure who’s available to me yet.”
Added Grzelcyk: “After a game like that, you want to play right away. We got to be ready to answer the bell tomorrow.”