Jets move into first place in the Central with win in Chicago

CHICAGO IL - December continues to be magical month for the Winnipeg Jets.

The Jets won for the seventh time in eight games in the final month of 2018 with a 4-3 overtime decision over the Chicago Blackhawks moving them into first place in the Central Division.
Mark Scheifele scored twice including the overtime winner while Patrik Laine and Mathieu Perreault added singles for the Jets who improved to 21-9-2.

"We stuck with it. The goalie was great early on and gave us a chance," said Blake Wheeler.
"We just did enough to scrap a win out."
Laurent Brossoit made 34 saves, pushing his record to 7-1-1.
"He's been great in high volume games," said Paul Maurice. "You know on back-to-back (games) you're going to give up some shots and he was outstanding. The best part of this game was the goaltending at both ends of the rink was really good and our guy was one better so good on him."

The first two meetings of the season between the Winnipeg Jets and the Chicago Blackhawks were goal-fests with the two teams combining for 20 goals.
With Jonathan Toews in the box for hooking, the Jets opened the scoring Blake Wheeler spotting Mark Scheifele wide open for the one-timer from the left face off circle.
Laine almost made it 2-0 when Perreault spotted him alone in front before Crawford kicked out his right pad after Laine tried to beat him far post.
Chicago got on the board with 10 seconds left in the period. Jonathan Toews would take a Duncan Keith pass in the slot and zip a wrist shot top corner glove side tying the game at one. The Jets had kept the Blackhawks captain off the score sheet since April 1, 2016 - a span of nine games.
2:18 into the second period, Bryan Little was in the exact same spot where Toews scored his goal. The Jets centre went high glove side but Crawford made a highlight reel stop.
With just under seven minutes left in the frame, the Blackhawks broke out 2-on-1 with Brandon Saad sending a perfect saucer pass over Josh Morrissey's stick to Toews and his one timer got under Brossoit for a 2-1 Chicago lead.
Patrik Laine got his second goal in as many games, wristing a shot under the cross bar following a nice give and go between him and Bryan Little.

Winnipeg took back the lead with 18 seconds left on the clock in the second. Mathieu Perreault stepped out of the penalty box and snuck in behind Murphy, Scheifele hit him with a pass and Perreault went in all alone and scored his third goal in as many games to make it 3-2.
With Crawford on the bench in favour of the extra attacker, Keith slid a pass along the blueline to Erik Gustafasson and his slap shot went through a crowd and tied the game up with just over seven seconds left on the clock.
"We've had enough success in overtime that it's not devastating for us (to give up lead late)," said Maurice.
"Lots of confidence. We've put ourselves in a position with enough wins that you don't have to ride that emotional roller coaster that a game that your hanging onto and you give up a lead late. It doesn't happen to us often and then Scheifele, Wheeler and Morrissey have a good thing going there."
In the extra frame, the deadly trio of Scheifele, Wheeler and Josh Morrissey went to work. Morrissey who was the overtime hero on Thursday night just missed another chance but Crawford made the save. After a battle for the loose puck behind the Chicago goal, Scheifele grabbed the puck came out front and his second of the night and 20th of the season.
"It was good to respond quick after they tied it up late," said Wheeler who ended the night with three assists. "Regardless, we are happy to have the two points."
The Jets have scored 28 goals in the last six meetings with the Blackhawks, including 16 in the three games this season.
Winnipeg returns home to play the Tampa Bay Lightning Sunday night in the Jets' final home game before the Christmas break.