For the second time in a week, the Blackhawks were in Winnipeg to face the Jets, a Central Division foe that’s also one of the teams Chicago is contending with for a playoff berth.
And, again for the second time in a week, the Blackhawks were unable to gain two points, yielding a decisive goal early in the third period for a 3-2 defeat Sunday night at Bell MTS Place.
The loss sends Chicago to a 1-5-2 mark in its last eight games, which includes a 1-4 record during their five-game road trip that ended on Sunday night in Winnipeg.
Like Chicago’s last appearance in Winnipeg, the Blackhawks grabbed an early lead when Ryan Carpenter redirected Patrick Kane’s centering pass into the net for a 1-0 Chicago advantage at 15:44.
Ryan Carpenter scored his third goal of the season to make it 1-0 #Blackhawks. pic.twitter.com/JyAuvrxDGo
— Brandon (@brandonmcain) February 17, 2020
Winnipeg surged ahead in the second period on goals from Mason Appleton and Jack Roslovic. But the Blackhawks appeared to seize some momentum when a nifty passing play from Dominik Kubalik to Jonathan Toews to Kane tied it 2-2 with 53 seconds remaining in the second.
A closer look: pic.twitter.com/T3QSFk1EKu
— Brandon (@brandonmcain) February 17, 2020
That lead didn’t last long in the third period, though. Just 96 seconds into the final 20 minutes, Nathan Beaulieu scored his first goal this season on a point shot that deflected off Alex DeBrincat’s stick and found its way past Corey Crawford, giving Winnipeg a lead it would not relinquish.
Nathan Beaulieu’s shot from the point redirects off Alex DeBrincat’s stick and into the net. It’s 3-2 Jets. Merp. pic.twitter.com/lsH7GmmTxH
— Second City Hockey (@2ndCityHockey) February 17, 2020
The Blackhawks had a flurry of possession, shots and chances in the final minutes but were unable to find an equalizer, leaving the Blackhawks six points out of a playoff spot with with an ever-shrinking amount of time and games to close that gap.
Game Charts
Three Stars
- Mason Appleton (WPG) — 1 goal, 1 assist
- Patrick Kane (CHI) — 1 goal, 1 assist
- Nathan Beaulieu (WPG) — 1 goal, 1 assist
What’s next?
The Blackhawks take two days off before returning to the United Center to face the New York Rangers at 7 p.m. Tuesday night.