Connor Bedard extended his point streak to nine games, but the Chicago Blackhawks played one of their worst second periods of the season Friday in a 5-3 loss to the Detroit Red Wings.

The Blackhawks spent the offseason adding some veteran pieces around Bedard so he could begin flourishing with the right influences around him. They added Taylor Hall, the No. 1 overall pick in 2010 that's bounced around to several teams, along with more skill in Teuvo Teravainen and Tyler Bertuzzi.

At the halfway point of the season, time to break down the season so far from top-line stars to budding prospects in Rockford and beyond.

Power play goal for Chicago! Scored by Connor Bedard with 08:31 remaining in the 2nd period. Assisted by Seth Jones and Teuvo Teravainen. Sharangovich scored his seventh goal of the season ...

Chicago Blackhawks' Connor Bedard is on his way to becoming an NHL superstar based on how quickly he reached 100 career points. Connor Bedard has been a hot topic lately for the Chicago Blackhawks.

Taylor Hall’s actual black eye, courtesy of Calgary Flames forward Martin Pospisil, doesn’t hurt so much. “(Feels) good. It’s fine,” said Hall, whose right eyelid looked more red than black and had seven stitches in it.

Typically, if a player speaks after morning skate, as Foligno did, others are made available postgame unless the player did something to stand out in the game. But Foligno was there to face the music on behalf of his team because that’s what this loss called for.

A loss is just a loss, right? Not necessarily. If there’s anything this Chicago Blackhawks season has taught us, there are degrees to losing — and not just margins of victory, points in the standings or other statistical measures.

Welcome to NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are happening and gives our predictions for each one, breaking down head-to-head matchups and other factors that may play in.

Oilers left wing Zach Hyman (18) scores the tiebreaking goal on Blackhawks goaltender Arvid Söderblom (40) in the third period on Jan. 11, 2025, at the United Center. The Hawks lost 4-3. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune) Photos from the Chicago Blackhawks’ 4-3 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Jan. 11, 2025, at the United Center.

"It's just day by day, trying to improve the group — what we have right now — and not trying to look too far down the road," Sorensen said.

The Chicago Blackhawks host the Edmonton Oilers after Teuvo Teravainen's two-goal game against the Detroit Red Wings in the Blackhawks' 5-3 loss.