Connor Bedard Placed on Blackhawks' IR With Fractured Jaw Injury After Hit vs. Devils

The Chicago Blackhawks placed center Connor Bedard on injured reserve after suffering a fractured jaw against the New Jersey Devils on Friday as a result of a hit midway through the first period.

Devils defenseman Brendan Smith appeared to hit Bedard in the face while the Blackhawks were in their offensive zone. Bedard skated off the ice and into the locker room after a whistle while the Blackhawks' Philipp Kurashev rushed to his teammate's defense by going after Smith.

Nick Foligno soon skated over to Smith and was eventually given two roughing penalties for his actions. Smith, who was not penalized for the Bedard hit, got his own roughing penalty for his interaction with Feligno.

The Blackhawks continued to go after Smith in the second period, with Nick Foligno fighting him:

A few seconds earlier, Devils right wing Nathan Bastian got hit with a boarding call on Chicago's. Ryan Donato. Alex Vlasic then rushed to Donato's defense, and a skirmish ensued.

The 18-year-old Bedard, who was selected first overall in the most recent NHL draft, has amassed 15 goals and 18 assists this year.

He's obviously the cornerstone of the Blackhawks' franchise and has a bright future ahead of him. It was only natural for Chicago to come to the superstar's defense after that hit.