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All the Winnipeg Jets needed was a single point to clinch first place in the Central Division as they faced the Chicago Blackhawks this evening at the United Center in the Windy City.
1st period
The Jets had an interesting start to this one. Connor Hellebuyck made a huge mistake when he came out to play the puck. He tried to backhand it out of the zone, but instead, it found the stick of Nick Foligno, who capitalized on a gaffe, leaving Hellebuyck looking skyward in disbelief—1–0 Chicago.
Chicago doubled their lead less than three minutes later on a power play marker from Connor Bedard. Sam Rinzel set him up with a slap pass to the middle of the left circle, where he one-timed it past Hellebuyck—two Chicago goals on only four shots.
Winnipeg wrapped up the period down 2–0 but outshooting Chicago 8–4.
2nd period
Hellebuyck and Spencer Knight were having a goalie battle. Back and forth, both goalies made some spectacular saves—Knight with a great right pad stop denying Iafallo from squeaking one in at the post, and Hellebuyck shutting down at least three odd-man rushes.
The Jets got on the board 11:15 into the second. Nino Niederreiter ripped one past the glove of Knight for a power play marker and his 17th of the season.
Nikolaj Ehlers collided with one of the linesmen, clipping his skate and going down awkwardly. He needed help getting up and was escorted to the dressing room—a tough blow for Jets fans, especially since he had just returned from injury.
Kyle Connor continued to add to his goal total, tying the game 2–2 with his 41st of the season. Iafallo knocked down a pass at the blue line and fed Connor charging in on the left wing. He ripped a shot low glove past Knight.
After 40 minutes, it was a 2–2 hockey game with Winnipeg leading in shots 21–17.
3rd period
Winnipeg grabbed their first lead of the evening when Josh Morrissey made it 3–2 with his 13th of the season. Vladislav Namestnikov fed him the puck at the point, and Morrissey unloaded a slap shot past Knight.
Chicago tied things up with 10:53 to go. Ryan Donato ripped a slapper off the post and in for his 31st of the season—a shot that may have been tipped, but it definitely fooled Hellebuyck.
Chicago jumped ahead late after a beautiful setup from Tyler Bertuzzi found Frank Nazar, who buried it past Hellebuyck to make it 4–3 with just 6:05 remaining.
But Winnipeg wasn’t done yet. Josh Morrissey, once again, found the back of the net, tying this barnburner at four apiece.
After 60 minutes of play, we still didn’t have a winner—off to overtime.
Overtime
Both teams had their chances in overtime—especially Winnipeg—but Spencer Knight stood tall and sent this one to a shootout.
Shootout
Kyle Connor, Winnipeg’s second shooter, used his filthy mitts to go upstairs on Knight, tying the shootout 1–1. Chicago’s third shooter, Teuvo Teravainen, was shut down by Hellebuyck. Then, Winnipeg’s third shooter, Cole Perfetti, netted the game-winner, sealing the 5–4 victory.
The Jets have officially clinched first place in the Central Division, earning the fancy “Z” beside their name in the standings.
Up next
Winnipeg flies home tonight and gets set to face the Edmonton Oilers tomorrow evening at 6:00 p.m. CT at Canada Life Centre. You can catch the game on TSN3 or SNW.
Make sure to check out the pre-game article at Jetsnation.ca!

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