Jets ease past Blackhawks with shutout win

WINNIPEG-- Connor Hellebuyck made 27 saves and Patrik Laine scored his NHL-leading 12th goal to help the Winnipeg Jets defeat the Chicago Blackhawks 4-0 at MTS Centre on Tuesday.
"I've been chasing it for a while and now I got the monkey off my back," Hellebuyck said after his first shutout of the season.

WATCH: All Blackhawks vs. Jets highlights
The Jets (9-7-2) scored three times in the third period, including two goals 11 seconds apart. Josh Morrissey scored his first NHL goal, and Nic Petan and Chris Thorburn each scored his first of the season.
The Blackhawks (11-4-2) lost for the first time in regulation in 12 games. They were 9-0-2 since Oct. 22.
Goalie Corey Crawford was pulled for Scott Darling after allowing four goals on 22 shots. Crawford was 7-0-2 in his previous nine starts.
"I thought we played a good game," Crawford said. "It was a tough few minutes, just [the puck] kind of going in off everything, finding its way through. I mean, that happens in games.
"We've put together a good string of games, solid hockey. We played good tonight. They didn't really have much. Like I said, it was a tough few minutes, but we can forget about that one for sure."

Morrissey scored at 6:26 of the first period to give the Jets a 1-0 lead.
"You dream of that one in the driveway, basement and the outdoor rink," said Morrissey, a 21-year-old defenseman who played his 19th NHL game. "To finally be able to get that and see it go in was something special. It's starting to sink in a little bit now that the game's over. During the game it's an exciting moment, but you're back to playing right away."
Nikolaj Ehlers made a pass to Mark Scheifele in the slot. Scheifele turned and passed the puck back to Morrissey, who shot past Crawford. The assist was Scheifele's 21st point of the season.
Thorburn made it 2-0 at 4:41 of the third period. He picked up a pass from Paul Postma on the half wall, turned and shot high past Crawford's blocker. Laine scored at 8:32 of the third off a rebound to make it 3-0.
"I just have to work hard all of the time," Laine said. "I could score on the first two [shots], but I think I played pretty well and created some more chances for my linemates."
Petan scored 11 seconds later to make it 4-0. The rookie missed his first shot attempt on a pass from Marko Dano but was able to get his stick on the second for the goal at 8:43.
Blackhawks forward Vinnie Hinostroza left the game in the first period after a hit from Morrissey. Hinostroza's head hit the boards as he fell. Morrissey was given a two-minute minor for charging.
"I think he's going to be all right," Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said. "We'll know more tomorrow."

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Goal of the game

Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien's wraparound attempt was stopped by Crawford, but Laine picked up the rebound and scored his 12th of the season.

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Save of the game

Hellebuyck made a right-pad save on defenseman Brent Seabrook with the Blackhawks on a 5-on-3 power play in the second period, keeping the Jets' 1-0 lead intact.

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Highlight of the game

Morrissey scored his first NHL goal with a one-timer past Crawford.

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Unsung moment of the game

Jets defenseman Jacob Trouba blocked a shot from Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith with his neck in the second period. "It's a little sore, but no worse than any other puck that's hit me," Trouba said.

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They said it

"Absolutely. The statement was that we've figured it out and now we know how to play and now we know we can play it." -- Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck on if the win was a statement for Winnipeg

"I wouldn't even say he was off. We got a one-goal game in the third period and we're right in it, so that's where we're at. And he gives us a chance every single night, so there's no blame. That was a team loss." --Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville on goalie Corey Crawford

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Need to know

The Jets have a point in five straight games, a season high. … Winnipeg is 6-0-0 when leading after two periods. … Keith played his 850th NHL game.

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What's next

Blackhawks: At the Calgary Flames on Friday (9 p.m. ET; SNW, CSN-CH, NHL.TV)
Jets: At the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; CSN-PH, TSN3, NHL.TV)