Dietz: Showtime’s shifting away from the Blackhawks

It was Showtime on Saturday at the United Center — and in more ways than one.

The warm-up act featured Part II of the Blackhawks' 100-year celebration, with former play-by-play man Pat Foley emceeing a tribute to the Madhouse Era. While former stars Jeremy Roenick, Denis Savard and Chris Chelios were on hand, the main focus was on Chicago Stadium — or the Madhouse on Madison.

After legendary vocalist Wayne Messmer and longtime organist Frank Pellico led a stirring rendition of the national anthem, it was time to drop the puck against the hated Detroit Red Wings.

Moments later, it was Showtime once again — just not the kind Hawks fans wanted to see — as Alex DeBrincat opened the scoring 55 seconds into the game, and Patrick Kane notched his sixth goal of the season at 4:35.

Hey, if you're going to celebrate a bygone era, at least two former Chicago superstars contributed to the script. Detroit went on to spoil the party by posting a 4-0 victory. The Hawks have now lost 10 of 13 and are 13-13-6 overall.

This spiral — which is already concerning — has the potential to spin out of control with Connor Bedard out indefinitely with a shoulder injury. The Hawks' center was hurt taking a faceoff with 0.8 seconds remaining in Friday’s 3-2 loss at St. Louis. In a desperate attempt to shoot the puck forward, Bedard's right arm shot violently upward while taking the draw against the Blues' Brayden Schenn.

Bedard went to the locker room in obvious pain while holding his shoulder.

Hawks coach Jeff Blashill, who called the incident a “freak accident,” is expected to give an update on Bedard's condition Monday. Bedard will not travel on the upcoming road trip to Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa.

Losing Bedard for an extended period obviously would be a crushing blow. There's just no way to replace his offensive firepower — and the Hawks need every bit of it as they've scored just 27 goals in the last 13 games. And, except for Saturday, that's WITH Bedard in the lineup.

Coach Jeff Blashill said the Hawks must do two things if they hope to compete while Bedard is out:

• “Guys are going to be thrust into more important roles in some way,” Blashill said. “Whether it's the same role you've had but it gets magnified more (or if) it's moving up into a (different spot). As a whole group we just need guys to step up and play as close to their ‘A’ game as possible on a nightly basis.”

Simply put, that means Frank Nazar needs to break a 20-game scoring drought; Ryan Donato needs to channel his 2024-25 self (he has 2 goals in the last 22 games); Teuvo Teravainen (1G, 1A last 11) must find another gear; and Tyler Bertuzzi (7G last 13) must continue to produce.

Also, high-scoring prospect Nick Lardis — who has 13 goals in 24 games at Rockford — needs to chip in. Lardis, a third-round pick in 2023, was quite impressive in his NHL debut Saturday, taking 8 total shots (2 on goal) in 15.5 minutes while skating with Oliver Moore and Ryan Greene.

“That line in the first (period) had a lot of juice,” Blashill said. “(They've) got good, young legs. Lardis played good.”

• “When you lose some of that scoring punch that Connor gives us,” Blashill said, “it should heighten our awareness of how good we're gonna have to be defensively. It doesn't mean that we're gonna just defend, but … Connor's a guy that can change a game on one shot.”

The heightened awareness must begin from puck drop because the Hawks won't often be able to chase leads with this group. The problem is in four of the last eight games the Hawks have allowed a goal in the first four minutes — and three times they've allowed 2 in the first 12.

That must stop. Immediately.

Hopefully, for the Hawks' sake — and the league for that matter — Bedard can return soon. He's gone from someone who was ridiculed in some circles last year to one of the faces of the league. Heading into Sunday's games, Bedard ranked fourth in points (44) and goals (19).

“He's obviously been really good,” DeBrincat said. “I think he's playing harder on the puck and he's been making a lot of plays. He's been great so far this year.”

Said Kane: “He really seems like he's taken the next step. They've got a good, young team. They'll be getting better and better. They've got some players with some unique skill sets and some confidence. They're headed in the right direction.”

John Dietz, a sports writer at the Daily Herald from 1998-2024, covered the Blackhawks from 2014-24. You can reach him at jdietz6917@hotmail.com.