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The Chicago Blackhawks came into this one just 2 points behind the Jets, so we all knew what a loss meant. Patrick Kane was looking for his 1000th career point, all of course, as a Blackhawk. Winners in 7 of their last 10 and facing a Jets squad just 4-5-1 over theirs, it begged the question; are the Jets and Hawks comparable teams?
The big news out of Winnipeg was Coach Maurice shaking up the top six, putting Copp with Scheifele and Ehlers, leaving Laine with Connor and Wheeler. It didn’t exactly go as planned.
1st Period
Well Kulikov’s first shift would set a low bar. Thankfully, he wouldn’t get worse, though I’m not sure he got better either. Adam Lowry would get the first shot and chance in close, but Lehner kicked his wrister into the corner.
The play headed the other way, and after some sustained pressure, Alex Nylander took the Gustafsson pass, moved it to his backhand, and slid it behind Hellebuyck for the go-ahead goal.
Nylander doesn't meander! #CHIvsWPG pic.twitter.com/PQb4bTJlil
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) January 20, 2020
And when the Hawks got their chance, cycling in the Jets zone, Gustafsson stutter stepped and wristed one perfectly through the traffic, putting giving his team up by two.
Pump fake and then release.@ErkanGustafsson has it down to a science. pic.twitter.com/ps67Z7jQHc
— NHL (@NHL) January 20, 2020
The hit that took #NHLJets Adam Lowry out of tonight's game. pic.twitter.com/qK6pvmB5IL
— JetsNation (@NHLJetsNation) January 20, 2020
2nd Period
The Jets do well to create some scoring opportunities on the powerplay, but Lehner is on and when the Jets do get their chances, they don’t execute as we have seen them in the past.
Caggiula, the goon, would get his 7th and 8th penalty minute of the game and the Jets went to work on the PP again. Finally breaking through the Hawks netminder when Scheifele backhanded a flubbed Ehlers’ shot home to bring hi team to within one.
#NHLJets get their first goal of the night as Scheifele takes advantage of a bit of a broken play.
— JetsNation (@NHLJetsNation) January 20, 2020
2-1 game. pic.twitter.com/C45ABBXQrI
Moms happy!
— JetsNation (@NHLJetsNation) January 20, 2020
(Fun game, try and pick out Mark's mom..) pic.twitter.com/XcG3RqH277
We saw Laine gain the Hawks zone with some nice hands, however like many of his teammates on the night, he missed the net. Appleton would get his chance to almost score next, and also miss his mark. It was a team affair.
Then 18 year old rookie Kirby Dach drove in on Hellebuyck, creating a rebound that he just missed with the glove, leaving it wide open for Kampf to stuff into the empty net.
Cleanup on Aisle 64 #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/Pz71KEpwfd
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) January 20, 2020
Watch this and try not to get chills.#1Kane #Showtime #ThatsHockeyBaby pic.twitter.com/XtsVeVugJg
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) January 20, 2020
The puck bounces to to Laine who makes no mistake for the #NHLJets second goal. pic.twitter.com/zuymFg9hIM
— JetsNation (@NHLJetsNation) January 20, 2020
They won’t have the easiest time trying to right the ship as they are slated for back to backs, Tuesday at 6:00 PM against the Carolina Hurricanes, and then Wednesday at 6:30 PM against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Should be a telling two games.