Jets shut down Chicago Blackhawks 4-0
The Chicago Blackhawks took full advantage of a favorable early-season schedule in which they played 11 of their first 16 games at the United Center.
Coach Joel Quenneville was hopeful the momentum the Hawks built up would carry over and last throughout a seven-game road trip, the longest of the season, that began in Winnipeg.
It still might, but Tuesday night's performance in a 4-0 loss to the Jets didn't exactly get things off on the right foot.
"It wasn't good. It wasn't good from the start," Quenneville told reporters. "We didn't generate a whole lot tonight. … Across the board I don't think we should be too happy with that one."
The Jets (9-7-2) took a 1-0 lead on Josh Morrisey's first NHL goal 6:26 into the first period, they staved off a 67-second 5-on-3 Hawks power play in the second and beat Corey Crawford three times in a four-minute span in the third.
Crawford (18 saves) was pulled after the fourth goal in favor of Scott Darling.
"They played extremely well defensively and their goalie was hot," said Marian Hossa of Connor Hellebuyck, who made 27 saves.
The Hawks, who were the only team in the league with at least 2 goals in every game this season, had an 11-game points streak (9-0-2) snapped and fell to 11-4-2.
The 5-on-3 power play was a mess as the Hawks - after winning the first faceoff - passed the puck nine times before Duncan Keith finally fired a shot that was turned aside by Hellebuyck. The only other shot attempt on the two-man advantage came from Brent Seabrook, and Hellebuyck turned that away as well.
"Well, we had a couple of decent looks," said Quenneville, whose team has just 2 power-play goals in the last seven games. "It's something we can always look at and visit and try to do something different. But that was a good opportunity."
Winnipeg's third-period goals came from Chris Thorburn (at 4:41), Patrik Laine (at 8:32) and Nic Petan (at 8:43). Laine, the second overall pick of last summer's draft, leads the league with 12 goals.
"It was a tough few minutes," Crawford said. "(The puck) was kind of going in off everything, finding its way through. …
"We've put together a good string of games, solid hockey. I mean we played good tonight; they (Jets) didn't really have much."
Neither did the Hawks, though, as 19 of their 27 shots on goal came from just four players: Patrick Kane (6), Richard Panik (5), Andrew Desjardins (5) and Keith (3).
Vinnie Hinostroza left late in the first period after being hit along the boards by Morrissey, who was called for charging. Hinostroza, who started on the top line, did not return, but Quenneville was optimistic the rookie would be OK.