Hellebuyck makes history in Jets win against Blackhawks

WINNIPEG -- Connor Hellebuyck got his 44th win, setting an NHL record for most in a season by a United States-born goalie, and the Winnipeg Jets defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 4-1 at Bell MTS Place on Saturday.

Hellebuyck passed Tom Barrasso (Pittsburgh Penguins, 1992-93), who played before shootouts were introduced in the NHL. Hellebuyck had four shootout wins this season.
"I'm very excited about it," said Hellebuyck, who made 30 saves. "To be in the history books is something that I'm always going to look back and be proud of. The fact that this locker room has come together, playing the way we're playing, now the city is behind us the way they are, it's a fun time being in Winnipeg."
WATCH: [All Blackhawks vs. Jets highlights]
Andrew Copp scored twice, and Dustin Byfuglien and Kyle Connor scored for the Jets (52-20-10), who finished second in the Central Division and will play the third-place Minnesota Wild in the Western Conference First Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Hellebuyck also tied the NHL record for home wins in a season with 30 (Wayne Stephenson, Philadelphia Flyers, 1975-76).
Brent Seabrook scored, and Jeff Glass made 35 saves for the Blackhawks (33-39-10), who are eliminated from playoff contention. This was the final regular-season game for each team.
"It [stinks]," Seabrook said. "I've said a million times, I think it's the best part of the season coming up here. To not be a part of it, not playing any meaningful games for us down the stretch, it's been tough."
Byfuglien gave the Jets a 1-0 lead at 15:12 of the first period on a 5-on-3 power play. His point shot beat Glass high to the blocker side.

With an assist on the goal, 19-year-old Patrik Laine (44 goals, 26 assists) became the first Europe-born teenager in NHL history to have at least 70 points in a season.
Connor made it 2-0 on a breakaway 34 seconds into the second period.
Copp made it 3-0 at 3:56 on a rebound in front and scored his second of the game shorthanded on a breakaway at 6:35 to make it 4-0.
Seabrook made it 4-1 at 9:08.
Forward Patrick Sharp, a three-time Stanley Cup winner with the Blackhawks, likely played in his final NHL game. He has 620 points (287 goals, 333 assists) in 939 League games.

Sharp, 36, has played 11 of his 15 NHL seasons with Chicago.
"A special career, a lot of good things he accomplished," Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said. "One of the guys that, as a teammate, really helped the young guys come in 10 years ago and really made an impact on our team as a leader."

Goal of the game

Connor's goal at 34 seconds of the second period.

Save of the game

Hellebuyck's save on Brandon Saad at 4:19 of the first period.

Highlight of the game

Copp's goal at 6:35 of the second period.

They said it

"The game was going well there until they acknowledged me [in the arena] and I'm not sure if that was [Winnipeg general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff] or if it was the Jets organization or what, but being born in Winnipeg and then hearing the ovation from the crowd, seeing the other team tap their sticks and clap their hands … that hit hard and I'm just thankful for it, grateful for it. It's pretty special that I get a chance to do that." -- Blackhawks forward Patrick Sharp
"It was very powerful. That connection all hockey players have together. They go through that, traveling as a team, being part of a team. So it was really emotional. You put 15 and a half thousand people in the building and you can hear a pin drop for as long as you can. I think the crowd sang the national anthem differently. It was a very fitting tribute." -- Jets coach Paul Maurice on the pregame ceremony honoring the 15 people killed in a bus crash involving the Humboldt Broncos of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League on Friday

Need to know

The Jets and Blackhawks wore name bars that read "Broncos" on their jerseys to honor those killed in the crash. The jerseys are expected to be auctioned off with proceeds going to Humboldt. ... Wheeler got his 68th assist, tying him with Philadelphia Flyers forward Claude Giroux for the most in the NHL.

What's next

Blackhawks:Season over
Jets:Host the Minnesota Wild in Game 1 of Western Conference First Round, TBA