Seabrook's OT goal lifts Blackhawks past Jets

WINNIPEG -- Defenseman Brent Seabrook scored 1:02 into overtime to give the Chicago Blackhawks a 5-4 win against the Winnipeg Jets at MTS Centre on Friday.
Artemi Panarin led a 2-on-1 rush before sending a cross-ice pass to Seabrook that he one-timed past Winnipeg goaltender Ondrej Pavelec from the right circle for his 14th goal. Panarin also scored twice; he one-timed Marcus Kruger's pass past Pavelec with 4:45 remaining in the third period to tie the game 4-4.

"I think it's huge for our team," Seabrook said. "It was good to see, and I think it's a definite confidence-booster going forward to know that we can be down, get a big goal, get it to overtime [and win]."
In a game that featured four lead changes, NHL scoring leader Patrick Kane reached the 40-goal mark for the first time in his career when he scored late in the second period. Brandon Mashinter also had a first-period goal for the Blackhawks (45-26-7), who are third in the Central Division and host the Boston Bruins on Sunday.

"It was a crazy game, all game long," Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said. "We'll take the positive of winning the game, knowing that there are areas we definitely have to be better in."
The line of Panarin, Kane and center Artem Anisimov combined for three goals and seven points. Panarin, who finished with four points, leads NHL rookies in goals (27), assists (41), and points (68).
"When they get some speed through the middle of the ice, they kind of have a pretty good idea of where the other guy is going to end up, and they find lanes and seams like they did on the power play and on 5-on-5," Quenneville said of the line. "They get through some nights, and their finish is excellent."
Chicago played without defenseman Duncan Keith, who was suspended for six games by the NHL earlier Friday for high-sticking Minnesota Wild forward Charlie Coyle in a game on Tuesday. Defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson skated a team-high 26:53 to absorb some of Keith's ice time. Forward Marian Hossa (illness) also did not play.

"As a group of six back there, we're going to have to be at our best and try to take some of the load on our shoulders and get the job done," Seabrook said.
Scott Darling made 28 saves in his eighth consecutive start in place of Corey Crawford, who's out with an upper-body injury.
"[The win is] definitely the more important part," Darling said. "They're not all works of art, but it shows a lot of character to come back a couple of times."
Blake Wheeler had put Winnipeg ahead 4-3 with 8:39 to go in the third period, shoving a loose puck past Darling for his 22nd goal of the season and second of the game. Wheeler set a career-high with 72 points, reached 50 assists for the first time in his career and extended his point streak to seven games (four goals, six assists).\

"You want to contribute to wins, you know what I'm saying?" Wheeler said. "It's kind of an empty feeling. At some point after the season, I'll look back at it and be proud of the work I put in."
Nic Petan and Dustin Byfuglien, who also had two assists, scored for the Jets (31-39-8). Winnipeg is 6-14-3 in its past 23 home games. Mark Scheifele had two assists, extending his point streak to six games (three goals, six assists).
Pavelec made 22 saves for the Jets, who play Minnesota on Sunday in their home finale.
"There was lots of good in that game," Jets coach Paul Maurice said. "There was lots you just shake your head at, but that's true for both teams after that one."

Winnipeg had 10 of the first 12 shots of the game, and Petan made it 1-0 at 8:36 when he bounced a rebound past Darling, ending his 20-game goal drought. Winnipeg had entered the game with one goal in its previous three games against Chicago.
Chicago responded by scoring two goals in a 2:21 span.
Panarin tied the game at 14:39 with a power-play goal that ended Chicago's 0-for-26 slump; Chicago hadn't scored with the extra man since March 9 against the St. Louis Blues. Mashinter followed at 17:00 with his fourth goal.

Wheeler made it 2-2 at 12:08 of the second period, but Kane put Chicago ahead 3-2 at 17:22, breaking down the right boards before beating Pavelec with a snap shot that deflected off Winnipeg defenseman Mark Stuart's stick. He is tied with Jamie Benn of the Dallas Stars for second behind NHL goal-scoring leader Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals, who scored his 45th of the season Friday against the Colorado Avalanche.
Kane is the first Chicago player to score 40 goals in a season since Tony Amonte had 43 in 1999-2000.
Byfuglien tied the game at 5:33 of the third period with his 18th goal.