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No Sugar Tonight: Jets 3, Blackhawks 1

At least Bedard scored.

Credit: Terrence Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Blackhawks generated just a single goal for the second game in a row, falling 3-1 to the Winnipeg Jets Saturday afternoon.

Connor Bedard opened the scoring about 4:29 into the first period after a Philipp Kurashev shot deflected off the stick of a Jets player right to Bedard near the left dot. Bedard also started the play by picking off a Jets zone exit pass, dancing away from defenders, and then backhanding the puck to set up Kurashev’s initial shot.

The Jets tied it 1-1 near the halfway mark of the first while on the power play. Gabriel Vilardi made a slick move around Alex Vlasic with Taylor Raddysh hanging off his back before passing the puck to Mark Scheifele in the slot, who one-timed the puck into the net.

The Jets took the lead 2-1 just over six minutes into the second. Nikolaj Ehlers sent a stretch pass to a streaking Morgan Brown, whose wrist shot beat Arvid Söderblom.

Cole Perfetti added a goal for the Jets to make it 3-1 with 9:54 left in the game. He deflected a Dylan Samberg point shot after the Jets won an offensive zone faceoff.

Notes:

  • After trending positively in terms of shot possession in six of their last seven games at 5-on-5, the Blackhawks were pretty overwhelmed by the Jets in this game, especially in the second period. The first period was somewhat close — an edge of just three shot attempts and one shot on goal for the Jets — but the Blackhawks allowed almost twice as many attempts against (24) as they generated (13) in that middle frame. The third ended exactly even with 15 attempts apiece, but a majority of the Blackhawks’ generation came after the Jets went up 3-1.
  • While the Blackhawks kept total shots on goal below 30 — only the sixth time they’ve done that this season — they still allowed double-digit high-danger chances against (14) for yet another game.
  • This isn’t a good Blackhawks roster obviously, but the offense really is lacking. I saw some comments in the game thread about them getting chances but, outside of the top line, there really wasn’t much that was particularly dangerous. Bedard, Kurashev, and Anthony Beauviller owned 53.33 percent of the shot attempts and 70.62 percent of the expected goals when on the ice together — the rest of the lineup was at 43.75 percent and 33.14 percent of those same categories, respectively.
  • The line of Tyler Johnson, Lukas Reichel, and Taylor Raddysh, in particular, got absolutely buried: out attempted 15-4, out shot 9-2, and out chanced 4-1 when on the ice together. It’s one of many games in which that line has been under water.
  • The Blackhawks also only had 21 shots on goal, tied for their third lowest total of the season. It’s hard to score when you don’t shoot.
  • Much ado has been made about Söderblom’s rebound control, which is not good, but his biggest issue is still reaction time, specifically on shots around his middle. The second goal against is a good illustration of this — it’s a well placed shot, sure, but he reacted a little too slow to try to get a piece of it. Only more time in the NHL can potentially correct that issue of the 24-year-old netminder.
  • Enough on the negative, let’s talk about the positives: namely Bedard. He was shining bright this game and he honestly could have had 3-4 more points. There were some magical passes that his linemates just missed or Hellebuyck stoned them. Bedard is already so gifted, and it’s amazing to think this is just the beginning for him. This bonkers backhand seam pass to Kurashev was just one of many examples — even Kurashev, who has been able to keep up with Bedard for the most part, wasn’t expecting it because it seems impossible — and he had a few shot opportunities himself.
  • Bedard is also keeping pace with achievements from other superstars when they were 18:
  • Beauviller had a strong debut with the Blackhawks: he led the team in shot attempts with 8, scoring chances with 7, and hig-danger scoring chances with 4. He seemed to jell pretty well with Bedard and Kurashev, so hopefully they can start to knock in some goals together as a trio.
  • Nikita Zaitsev had a solid game after sitting for so far, and he had one great moment in the third, saving a sure goal that trickled through Söderblom before it could cross the line. I still think Isaak Phillips should be playing over both him and Jarred Tinordi on the regular, but credit where credit it due.
  • At least we may get to see another prospect make their NHL debut soon: Louis Crevier, who was recalled from the Rockford IceHogs earlier today, could play as early as tomorrow in Minnesota. Crevier isn’t necessarily one of the more high profile prospect in the Blackhawks system, but he quietly improved last season in the AHL and has been strong in his 16 games so far this season. He’s put in the development time, so it’s a good time to check in to see how he’d do in the NHL.
  • Another L in the recap column for me, for those keeping score at home.

Game Charts

Three Stars

  1. Connor Bedard (CHI) — 1 goal
  2. Gabriel Vilardi (WPG) — 1 assist
  3. Mark Scheifele (WPG) — 1 goal

What’s Next

The Blackhawks are right back at it on Sunday afternoon as they head to St. Paul to take on the Minnesota Wild at 1 p.m.

Talking Points