Jets Seal Top Western Spot in Gritty Shootout Thriller vs. Blackhawks
What a night it was for the Winnipeg Jets, as they locked in the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference with a hard-fought 5-4 shootout win over the Chicago Blackhawks. This wasn’t just another regular season game—it was a battle, an emotional send-off for a couple of veteran legends, and a milestone moment for a franchise that’s been grinding all season long.
Let’s talk about the Jets first. Even though the performance wasn’t exactly what they wanted—forward Adam Lowry admitted they weren’t too happy with the start—it was still enough. They got the one point they needed as soon as the game went to overtime, and from there, the shootout win was just the cherry on top. With that, Winnipeg clinched the Central Division and home-ice advantage through the Western Conference Final. It’s their first time finishing first in the conference in franchise history—huge stuff.
Josh Morrissey came up massive in the third, scoring two clutch goals to keep the Jets alive. Nino Niederreiter and Kyle Connor also chipped in with goals, and goaltender Connor Hellebuyck stood tall with 28 saves. He now ties Evgeni Nabokov for the fifth-most wins in a single season in NHL history. That’s legendary territory.
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Chicago made this a real contest though. Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar both had a goal and an assist, and Spencer Knight kept the Blackhawks in it with 37 saves. But beyond the scoreline, this game had a deeper meaning. It was the final NHL home game for Patrick Maroon and Alec Martinez. Maroon, emotional and grateful, received a heartfelt tribute and ovation from the United Center crowd—a powerful reminder of how much this game means, and the legacy these players leave behind.
Early on, Chicago came out strong. Foligno opened scoring with a shorthanded goal, and Bedard followed with a blistering power-play one-timer. The Jets clawed back, as Niederreiter and Connor tied it before Morrissey briefly gave them the lead. Chicago wasn’t done though—Donato and Nazar struck back, but again, Morrissey answered in the clutch.
In the shootout, Cole Perfetti and Kyle Connor delivered the dagger goals to secure the win, wrapping up a regular-season road finale that had it all—goals, grit, history, and farewell moments.
Now, the Jets head back to Winnipeg with two games left and their eyes on a long playoff run. They’ve earned a small celebration, but as Lowry said—nothing’s accomplished yet. It’s just the beginning of what they hope is a deep run to the Stanley Cup.
And for Chicago, it’s the end of a tough season, but one filled with promise thanks to young stars like Bedard, and a memorable goodbye to two warriors of the game.
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