Besides a win, Connor Hellebuyck and his Winnipeg teammates are looking for one thing when the Jets open an eight-game homestand Tuesday against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Only 60 minutes of play.
The Jets have played in three straight overtime games since the NHL restarted after the Olympics. Hellebuyck, the three-time Vezina Trophy Award winner and reigning league MVP, just backstopped a gold medal-winning Team USA squad at the Milan Cortina Games.
But he’s lost both of his games in net upon returning to the Jets.
In fairness to the four-time All-Star, Hellebuyck did make 31 saves in a 2-1 overtime setback at San Jose on Sunday.
Morgan Barron scored just 2:44 into the game off an assist from Tanner Pearson to give Winnipeg the early advantage, but the Jets were held scoreless the rest of the game.
The Sharks evened the score in the third period, and Michael Misa ended the game 1:40 into overtime.
“We gave up a breakaway, we gave up a 3-on-2, and then we gave up the 2-on-1, which became the goal,” Winnipeg coach Scott Arniel said. “That’s just … If you’re trying to gain points, you’re on the road, you can’t cheat it like that.”
Winnipeg fell to 3-10 in overtime this season, including just 2-8 in games decided in 3-on-3.
“Yeah, it’s usually how it goes, you get one chance one way, and it goes down the other way,” said Kyle Connor, who is tied for the team lead along with Mark Scheifele with 27 goals. “And unfortunately, they were able to score on that one, and we weren’t able to get another one. That’s just how it goes sometimes.”
Winnipeg’s playoff hopes are fading. The team is now nine points out of the second wild-card slot. The Jets have reached the postseason three straight years and seven of the past eight.
While the Jets have dropped seven of their last 10, the Blackhawks have them beat, with eight setbacks in their last 10 contests.
Chicago did get on the right side of the scoreline on Sunday, blanking the Utah Mammoth 4-0. Tuesday’s game will conclude a five-game road trip that began before the Olympics.
Teuvo Teravainen, who won bronze with Finland at the Olympics, had two goals. Nick Foligno scored his 250th career goal, and Landon Slaggert also tallied for the Blackhawks, while Arvid Soderblom made 22 saves for his first career shutout.
“It felt great,” Soderblom said. “It’s been a long time coming and a lot of ups and downs, but to finally get it done felt great. The guys did a great job in front (of the net). I thought we played our defensive system flawlessly. It was really good.”
The teams have split the first two meetings this season, with both sides winning at home.
–Field Level Media
