Blackhawks 1, Jets 4 — Three Stars, Key Takeaways
The second night of a back-to-back is always tough. When there’s travel involved, it’s tougher. When you feel pretty good about yourself after two solid efforts against bad teams and then roll into Winnipeg to play a legitimate Western Conference title contender who’s had the week off? Recipe for a butt-kicking. And a three-goal second period put the Blackhawks in a hole they couldn’t overcome in a late night against the Jets.
Star 1: Kyle Davidson
Look, the Blackhawks pulling three out of four points in their two home games coming out of their bye week wasn’t ideal from a draft position standpoint. But both games went to overtime so the results against Anaheim (two points) and Arizona (one) weren’t completely a loss for the Blackhawks from a lottery perspective. So when Columbus upsets Toronto and the Coyotes pick up an OT point (and St. Louis gets two points) with a Blackhawks’ regulation loss, it’s a good night for Davidson and crew.
Oh, and when (almost) half of your first draft class scored a goal on the same night? The ol’ resume loves that!
Star 2: Tyler Johnson
He scored Chicago’s first goal of the night. Tyler also led the Blackhawks in shots on net and continues to prove that he’s an important piece of Chicago’s offense.
Star 3: The Centers
Jonathan Toews has taken the majority of Chicago’s faceoffs against Winnipeg in previous matchups this season, so with him out of the lineup for a third straight game since returning from the bye week this would be a test. Max Domi, Jason Dickinson and Sam Lafferty led a terrific Toews-less effort at the dot tonight.
Takeaways
- Jarred Tinordi was playing in his first game since suffering a broken jaw on Dec. 18. So of course he’s the guy that got into a fight with Adam Lowry early in the third period. I can’t imagine that being a great idea (unless you’re hoping to see Ian Mitchell on the ice more frequently). Is he tough? Yeah. We get it. But c’mon man…
- Thoughts and prayers go out to Dylan Samberg, who blocked a Sam Lafferty shot in a not-ideal way in the third period. Troy Murray’s call was perfection.
- Blake Wheeler (two goals, one assist) and Josh Morrissey (one goal, one assist) led the offense for Winnipeg.
- Petr Mrazek was solid in the first and third periods, but the rush from the Jets in the second period overwhelmed him and the skaters in front of him. His mask coming off did a better job of slowing down Winnipeg rallies than the Blackhawks’ defense, too.
