In a high-intensity game between the Chicago Blackhawks and the New Jersey Devils, rookie sensation Connor Bedard suffered an unfortunate injury that has landed him on the injured reserve. Bedard, who was recently named the youngest player to be selected for the NHL All-Star team, sustained a fractured jaw during a collision with Devils' veteran Brendan Smith.

The incident occurred during the first period at the Prudential Center on Friday, when Bedard was leveled by Smith. Although the hit did not appear to be dirty, it left Bedard clutching his mouth and heading to the dressing room. The Blackhawks later confirmed that the 18-year-old would not return to the game, without specifying the exact nature of his injury.

Head coach Luke Richardson provided some insight into Bedard's condition, stating that he believed the young forward had banged his head. However, Richardson was unsure if Bedard was in the concussion protocol and stated that further updates would be provided on Saturday.

Bedard's teammates did not take kindly to the hit, as center Philipp Kurashev immediately confronted Smith on the ice and was followed by left wing Nick Foligno. The altercation resulted in penalties for both players, with Smith receiving a roughing penalty and Foligno receiving two penalties. Notably, Foligno later engaged in a fight with Smith during the second period, lasting over 75 seconds. Unfortunately for Foligno, the fight resulted in him also being sidelined, with a fractured left finger placing him on the injured reserve alongside Bedard.

The contentious game ended with a total of 64 penalty minutes, with the Devils securing a 4-2 victory. The Blackhawks bore the brunt of the penalties, accumulating 38 minutes. The game highlighted the intense rivalry and physicality between the two teams.

Bedard's injury comes as a blow to the Blackhawks. The young rookie has been living up to the expectations as a generational talent and was set to showcase his skills at the upcoming NHL All-Star game. The Blackhawks will undoubtedly miss his contributions as they prepare to face the Calgary Flames in their next game on Sunday at home.

All eyes will now be on Bedard's recovery timeline and the impact his absence will have on the Blackhawks. As the team rallies together to fill the void left by their promising rookie, fans eagerly await further updates on his condition and the potential return to action for both Bedard and Foligno.