Despite playing a fairly strong game overall, the Jets found themselves trailing for a whopping 59 minutes. Chicago opened the scoring in the opening minute before adding to their lead in the third period. The Jets mustered plenty of shots in the first two periods but ran into a lightning hot goalie who couldn’t be beat despite Winnipeg’s best efforts. Even though Winnipeg managed to score in the third period, the Blackhawks poured in a couple more goals late in the frame to take a decisive victory 4-1.

As far as starts go, it was not a good one. The Chicago Blackhawks opened up the scoring not even a minute into the game as Morrissey and Poolman were caught sleeping at their own blueline. Patrick Kane went flying by Morrissey and slid a cross-ice pass past Poolman and right to Nylander who opened the scoring.

The Jets slowly found their legs as the period wore on. They got much better in the second half of the period and the second line of Wheeler, Roslovic, and Ehlers had a number of scoring chances. Winnipeg also got the first powerplay of the game and the top unit had tons of chances but couldn’t find the back of the net. The puck movement and shooting lanes were encouraging at least as the Jets went into the first intermission down by a goal.

The second period started as the first one ended, with the Jets controlling the play and getting most of the shots. In fact, it took Chicago almost three quarters of the period before they were even able to get one on Hellebuyck.

The Jets took their first penalty of the game but had a really strong penalty kill for once as they didn’t even allow a shot on goal. On the other side of special teams, the powerplay had a few more shots, but weren’t able to get one past Lehner who really started to steal the show in the second period.

Lehner made a handful of excellent stops as he repeatedly stoned Scheifele, Connor, and Laine from in close. It culminated in a wild sequence that somehow stayed out of the net to preserve Chicago’s lead.

With nothing going in, the Jets went into the second intermission the same as they entered the first; down by a goal in a 1-0 game.

It was deja vu in the third period as the Blackhawks scored in the opening minute. It was a terrible giveaway by Scheifele as he failed to clear the zone. Kane kept the puck in and sent in Kubalik all alone who beat Hellebuyck five hole and gave the Blackhawks a 2-0 lead.

Now down by two goals, the Jets needed something to happen quickly. Poolman came to the rescue as he finally got the Jets on the board with a rocket from the high slot.

Things seemed to be looking favourable as the Jets were again within one goal and only one shot away from tying the game. That is, until the Jets took another penalty and showcased how bad their penalty kill is. They gave Chicago plenty of time to set up and work the puck around and the Blackhawks took advantage as Erik Gustafsson beat Hellbuyck with a cross-ice one timer.

Things only got worse as they game came to a close as Patrick Kane put the icing on the cake with his fourth point of the night. He walked in with room on the wing and beat Hellebuyck to widen the lead to 4-1. That’s how the game ended as the Jets lose their second straight game at home.

Even though Winnipeg had more shots and played a better overall game, sometimes the bounces don’t go your way. Lehner made some great saves and Chicago managed to get a few past Hellebuyck. Despite the relatively even play, one team was scoring and the other team wasn’t. Tonight it was the Jets who weren’t scoring.

While the Jets had plenty of scoring chances throughout the game, nobody really shone on the offensive end. One player who seemed to be working hard was Adam Lowry. With two new linemates in this one, he was his usual self with strong plays along the wall and big hits all over the ice. The third line enjoyed a number of shifts in the offensive end and Lowry had a big part of that tonight.

The Jets are finally done their homestand and hop on a plane tomorrow as they take on the Wild Saturday afternoon. It’s an important stretch for Winnipeg who play four out of their next five games against Central Division opponents. Saturday’s game starts at 1:00 PM and will be on Sportsnet on your TV.