Blackhawks hold off Jets rally for 2-1 win
The Chicago Blackhawks survived a late push by the first-place Winnipeg Jets to secure a much needed home win.
The 2017-18 Blackhawks haven’t had the success that they’re used to.
But with tonight’s big win of the first-place Jets, the Blackhawks move into a playoff spot.
Led by a 31-save performance from rookie goalie Jeff Glass, the Blackhawks won their third in their last four games. The Blackhawks also notched their 50th point with the win, improving to 22-16-6 on the season.
The Hawks got on the board in the second period thanks to a deflection off the stick of rookie David Kampf– his first NHL goal.
Why not get your first NHL goal on your birthday? David Kampf lit the lamp for the @NHLBlackhawks. #NHLFirsts https://t.co/vPbuun3iAQ
— NHL (@NHL) January 13, 2018
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Kempf is the first player in Blackhawks history to score his first NHL goal on his birthday.
Fellow Czech rookie Jan Rutta followed up Kempf’s goal with one of his own ten minutes later, coming on a sweet wrist shot past Jet’s all-star goalie Connor Hellebuyck.
Newly-acquired winger Anthony Duclair picked up an assist on Rutta’s goal, his first point in a Blackhawks uniform in his Blackhawks debut.
Duclair was acquired from the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for veteran winger Richard Panik earlier this week.
Despite the Blackhawks being in control on the scoreboard for most of the game, the Jets were the ones with the most chances, out-shooting the Hawks 32-27, missing out on several prime scoring opportunities.
Rookie goalie Jeff Glass turned in another spectacular performance Friday night, stopping 31 out of the Jets 32 shots en route to his third career win.
Jets star winger Patrik Laine cut the deficit in half late in the third with his 20th goal, but it proved too little too late for the Jets, as the Blackhawks came out on top in an important Western Conference Central Division contest.
Check out the game highlights below.
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The Blackhawks will take on the rival Detroit Red Wings on Sunday at 11:30 at the United Center before entering their much-needed off week.