NHL: Jets praying to get job done in regulation vs. Blackhawks

Besides chasing a win, Connor Hellebuyck and his Winnipeg Jets teammates are aiming for one thing when they open an eight-game homestand Tuesday against the Chicago Blackhawks: a full 60 minutes of play.

The Jets have played three straight overtime games since the NHL resumed after the Olympics. Hellebuyck, a three-time Vezina Trophy winner and reigning league MVP, returned from helping Team USA win gold at the Milan Cortina Games, but he has lost both of his starts since rejoining Winnipeg.

In Sunday’s 2-1 overtime loss to the San Jose Sharks, Hellebuyck made 31 saves. Morgan Barron gave the Jets an early lead just 2:44 into the game off an assist from Tanner Pearson, but Winnipeg failed to score again. The Sharks tied the game in the third period, and Michael Misa scored 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. “If you're trying to gain points on the road, you can't cheat it like that.”

The Jets are now 3-10 in overtime this season, including 2-8 in 3-on-3 games.

“Yeah, it's usually how it goes—you get one chance one way, and it goes down the other way,” said Kyle Connor, tied with Mark Scheifele for the team lead with 27 goals. “Unfortunately, they scored on that one, and we weren’t able to get another. That’s just how it goes sometimes.”

Winnipeg’s playoff hopes are fading, as the team sits nine points out of the second wild-card spot. The Jets have made the postseason three straight years and seven of the past eight.

The Blackhawks have also struggled, dropping eight of their last 10 games. However, they rebounded Sunday with a 4-0 win over the Utah Mammoth. Teuvo Teravainen, who won bronze with Finland at the Olympics, scored twice, while Nick Foligno reached his 250th career goal. Landon Slaggert also scored, and Arvid Soderblom recorded 22 saves for his first career shutout.

“It felt great,” Soderblom said. “It’s been a long time coming, but to finally get it done felt amazing. The guys did a great job in front, and we played our defensive system flawlessly.”

The Jets and Blackhawks have split their first two meetings this season, with each team winning at home.

—Field Level Media/Reuters