Connor Bedard reflects on Blackhawks’ 3-1 loss to the Kings: “they play really boring”

The Chicago Blackhawks five-game point streak came to an end Sunday night with a 3-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings at the United Center. Despite a strong start and an early lead, the Blackhawks couldn’t maintain their rhythm against the Kings’ structured defense, something that rookie sensation Connor Bedard admitted was difficult to overcome.

Connor Bedard gives the Blackhawks an early lead

Connor Bedard continued his impressive start to the 2025 NHL season by scoring Chicago’s only goal of the night. The 20-year-old forward struck in the first period, giving the Blackhawks a 1-0 advantage that carried through the opening frame.

It was a promising start for Chicago, which looked sharp in the early minutes. The Blackhawks controlled the puck well and created chances off the rush. Bedard’s goal, his third of the season, showcased his elite puck-handling and finishing touch, a glimpse of why he’s quickly becoming one of the most talked-about young players in the league.

But that energy began to fade as the game went on. The Kings tightened their defensive structure, forcing Chicago to dump the puck more often than they wanted. Despite outshooting Los Angeles in parts of the first two periods, the Blackhawks couldn’t find another way past Kings goaltender Cam Talbot.

In the second period, the Kings began to push back. While Chicago’s defense held firm for a while, its inability to capitalize on power plays started to hurt it. The Blackhawks went 0-for-5 with the man advantage, a stat that clearly frustrated Bedard after the game.

“Our power play was terrible tonight, so that didn’t help,” Bedard said candidly. “It takes the momentum out a little bit, and they used that. In the second, we were trying to do too much sometimes, maybe. They fed off that, and we couldn’t get it back in the third.”

King’s defense shuts down Chicago in the third period

The turning point came in the final period. Early in the third, Los Angeles struck twice in quick succession. Alex Laferriere tied the game, and just minutes later, Kevin Fiala gave the Kings a 2-1 lead. From there, the Kings slowed the game down, executing their defensive system to perfection.

Late in the third, with the Blackhawks pressing for the equalizer, Joel Armia sealed the win with an empty-net goal to make it 3-1.

After the game, Connor Bedard didn’t shy away from calling out how challenging the Kings’ style of play was to deal with. “Yeah, I think on a team like that, it’s just figuring out how to create offense,” Bedard said. “They play really boring. Like, I mean, it’s not a dig or anything. They sit back a lot and make it hard to get zone entries. We’re putting it in and trying to go get it, but they’re good at breaking it out.”

He acknowledged that teams often adopt that kind of defensive approach when they have the lead, something the young forward knows the Blackhawks need to learn to counter. “A lot of teams are going to play like that, especially when they have a lead, so we’ve got to figure out how to crack that a little bit,” Bedard added.

Connor Bedard’s bright start amid team struggles

Despite the loss, Bedard’s performance continues to be one of the brightest spots for Chicago. Through nine games, he has three goals and eight points, ranking second on the team in scoring behind Frank Nazar. His ability to create offense even in tough matchups shows maturity beyond his years.

However, the team as a whole still has work to do, particularly on special teams. Going 0-for-5 on the power play was a major setback, and the lack of execution in key moments cost them momentum.

The Blackhawks now sit at 4-3-2, placing them fifth in the Central Division. It’s still early in the season, but consistency will be key if they hope to stay competitive in the standings.

The next test comes on Tuesday when the Chicago Blackhawks face the Ottawa Senators. Puck drop is scheduled for 8:45 p.m. ET.

For Bedard and the Blackhawks, the goal will be simple, turn lessons from this loss into progress. If their young star continues to shine and the team finds ways to convert on their chances, Chicago could bounce back quickly.

The post Connor Bedard reflects on Blackhawks’ 3-1 loss to the Kings: “they play really boring” appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/connor-bedard-reacts-blackhawks-loss-to-kings-2025