Blackhawks beat Jets, Patrick Kane extends point streak to team record 22 games

Chicago Blackhawks defeats Winnipeg Jets, making Patrick Kane as Chicago’s top scorer broke a franchise record held by one of the greatest players in team history (Photo taken from Chicago Blackhawks’ official Facebook fan page)

CHICAGO – Teuvo Teravainen, the Blackhawks’ top young prospect, ended a month-long goal drought. Patrick Kane, Chicago’s top scorer, broke a franchise record held by one of the greatest players in team history.

Teravainen scored from a sharp angle 21 seconds into the third period to snap a tie, and Marian Hossa had a goal and an assist as the Blackhawks defeated the Winnipeg Jets 3-1 on Sunday to end a three-game losing streak.

Kane assisted on Artemi Panarin’s empty-net goal with 1:46 left to extend his point streak to 22 games, eclipsing Bobby Hull’s club mark. Kane has a goal or assist in 25 of the Blackhawks’ 27 games this season.

Kane, who entered as the NHL’s leading scorer, has 13 goals and 23 assists during his run. The crowd of 21,749 roared when his assist was announced.

“It’s not your usual point, I guess,” Kane said. “The exciting part is just hearing how into it the crowd was when the announcement was made, hearing how excited they were.”

Kane was along the right boards in the Blackhawks zone when he batted the puck with his left hand to Panarin. Because Panarin was still inside the Chicago blue line, the pass was legal and the rookie skated to centre ice before firing into the empty net.

“I’ve got to work on my lefty throwing,” said Kane, who is right-handed. “I was up on the glass there and lucky enough, Panarin was there to make the play and shoot it in.”

Teravainen snapped a 10-game goal drought and connected for the first time since Nov. 4 when he fooled Michael Hutchinson with a quick shot from the right circle. The puck struck Hutchinson, then slipped just inside the right post on the short side.

Teravainen, who also sat out three games since his previous goal, skated on a line with Hossa and captain Jonathan Toews.

“That’s where I want to be,” Teravainen said. “I’ve got to work hard to be on that line. It’s great that we got a couple goals tonight.”

Winnipeg’s Chris Thorburn had a goal that was awarded after a delayed video review.

Chicago’s Corey Crawford made 30 saves. Hutchinson blocked 29 shots but lost for the first time in regulation to the Blackhawks (4-1-1).

The 76-year-old Hull watched from the United Center and before the game wished Kane luck in attempting to surpass his mark as well as Wayne Gretzky’s NHL record of 51 straight games with a point.

“I just hope that he breaks the record and then goes on and chases Gretzky,” Hull said before the game. “It’s only 30, it’s not a big deal. He can get 30 more.”

That’s not on Kane’s radar yet.

“I don’t know about that,” Kane said, “but talking streaks with Eddie Olczyk, Denis Savard, the great Bobby Hull, it’s pretty special.”

Kane broke the point-streak record for a U.S. player previously held by Olczyk and Phil Kessel when he got to 19 games with a goal in Chicago’s 3-2 overtime loss at Los Angeles on Nov. 28.

The Jets played their second game in two days, after beating Washington 3-2 in overtime on Saturday at home on a goal that was upheld after video review.

Winnipeg coach Paul Maurice was happy with another solid defensive effort, just not the result.

“We’re playing the right way, but playing the right way doesn’t mean we’re going to win the next 50 games,” Maurice said. “But I like where we’re at.”

“A loss is painful. The harder you play the more they hurt.”

Blackhawks defenceman Trevor Daley had to be helped off the ice midway through the second period following a collision with Thorburn and did not return. After Daley made a clearing pass from the Chicago zone, he leaned forward and appeared to be struck in the head by Thorburn’s knee.

An apparent goal by Chicago’s Marcus Kruger with 7:10 left in the first was disallowed after a video review determined he kicked a loose rebound into the net.

However, Hossa scored with 2:04 remaining in the period to put Chicago ahead 1-0.

Brent Seabrook shot a bouncing puck from the left point that skipped in slowly on Hutchinson, who couldn’t hang onto it. Hossa outmuscled Bryan Little in the crease and swept in the rebound for his fifth goal.

A video review worked in the Jets’ favor again when Thorburn scored to tie it 1-all at 5:34 of the second.

After Toby Enstrom centred from the left side of the net, Thorburn roofed in a shot just under the crossbar from the front of the crease. The goal was first waved off on the ice, but counted after a review that took place 59 seconds later.