CHICAGO – The Winnipeg Jets were coming off a huge 2-1 overtime win on Saturday at home over the Washington Capitals where they played a great defensive game and got some superb goaltending from Connor Hellebuyck .
They were looking for the same outcome in a very difficult place to play, The United Center in Chicago, against the defending champs and a team they are chasing in the standings the Blackhawks.
Patrick Kanes extended point streak in win over Jets – file photo by Lewis Bleiman
The Jets did everything they could except get the two points as they lost a hard fought game 3-1 to division rivals the Blackhawks.
Michael Hutchinson got the start for Winnipeg and played a solid game stopping 29 of 31 shots and was the victim of a couple of bad breaks on a couple of Hawk goals. He falls to 5-7-1 on the season.
The Jets played a very solid game as they dished out 46 hits and dominated a lot of the play but just couldn’t seem to find the handle on some decent looks at the net .
When they did have chances Chicago goalie Corey Crawford stood his ground and shut the door as he stopped 30 of 31 shots.
The Jets were the beneficiary of a couple video replay calls in this game as in the first period a Marcus Kruger goal was waved off as it was determined he kicked it in for Chicago, then in the second period the Jets were credited with a goal after it was originally waved off but then reviewed and Chris Thorburn was credited with his fourth of the year.
The Blackhawks got goals from Marian Hossa who outmuscled Bryan Little for a loose puck to get his fifth of the year, Teemu Teravainen snapped a bad angle shot past Hutchinson for his fifth of the year.
Artemi Panarin got his 9th an empty netter with an assist going to Patrick Kane who extended his point streak to 22 games and breaking the Hawks record of 21 games held by legend Bobby Hull who is also a former Winnipeg Jet.
“It was up on the glass there and I just kind of threw it to the middle of the ice,” said Kane. “It’s not your usual point, I guess, but I think the exciting part was just how into it the crowd was when the announcement was made and hearing how excited they were. That was a fun little feeling there.”
This wasn’t the result the Jets wanted but they are starting to find their game and are getting more positives that should turn into wins.
“We had some good scoring chances and their goalie just made some good saves,” said Hutchinson, who came into the game 0-6-1 with an .851 save percentage in his previous seven starts. “We played well all game and I don’t think anyone on our team really had any doubts that we had control of the game, so it’s frustrating to lose a game that you’re feeling that well in.”
The Jets will have a couple days off before facing the Columbus Blue Jackets then head back to Chicago to face these Blackhawks again.
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