It was an evening a very long time within the making for Jonathan Toews, making his extremely anticipated return to Chicago on Monday.
However after all of the buildup and an unforgettable ovation for the longtime captain of the Blackhawks, a recreation nonetheless wanted to be performed, and the Winnipeg Jets failed to attain in a 2-0 loss.
By far essentially the most memorable a part of the primary interval got here through the first media timeout when a ‘thanks’ video performed within the area to mark the return of Toews. Toews then skated across the ice whereas followers stood and cheered for his or her longtime captain throughout an ovation that lasted a number of minutes.
Toews tapped his chest to indicate his gratitude a number of instances and raised his stick through the outpouring earlier than it will definitely subsided and play resumed.
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Neither staff managed to attain within the opening 20 minutes, with Chicago squandering a prolonged 5-on-3 and the Jets failing to generate a lot on an influence play of their very own. Each groups registered 12 pictures on purpose.
The second interval regarded very like the primary with the Jets creating extra excessive hazard alternatives than Chicago however it stayed 0-0 till the Blackhawks broke the ice on the 13:21 mark.
The play started within the Chicago finish and appeared innocuous sufficient as Ryan Donato despatched the puck floating within the air down the ice from his personal finish. The puck landed within the slot within the Winnipeg zone with Dylan Samberg and Jason Dickinson arriving to the puck across the identical time.
However as Samberg tried to knock it away along with his stick, Dickinson collected it and whipped a shot that beat Connor Hellebuyck excessive to open the scoring.
Connor Bedard almost made it 2-0 late within the interval on an influence play however Hellebuyck made a sprawling, highlight-reel glove save to take a certain purpose away and maintain the deficit at one purpose heading to the third.
Winnipeg received a 3rd energy play on the 6:35 mark of the third however once more did not get a lot completed towards one of many prime penalty killing models within the NHL.
The Jets pulled Hellebuyck for an additional attacker with lower than two minutes to go however Bedard sealed the win into the empty internet with 1:20 remaining.
Spencer Knight stopped all 32 pictures he confronted to earn his third shutout of the season whereas Hellebuyck was saddled with the loss after making 22 saves.
The Jets will attempt to get again into the win column Tuesday evening once they host St. Louis. Pregame protection on 680 CJOB begins at 5 p.m. with play-by-play simply after 7 p.m.
