Saad's OT Goal Gives Blackhawks Win -- And Sorely Needed Lift
WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) -- Brandon Saad scored in overtime to help the Chicago Blackhawks snap a two-game losing streak with a 2-1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets on Friday night.
Patrick Kane also scored for the Blackhawks, while Corey Crawford made 20 saves.
Mark Scheifele scored for the Jets, who entered on an 0-4-1 skid since the All-Star break and were outscored 23-11 during that span.
Winnipeg announced before the game that Evander Kane, a healthy scratch in Vancouver on Tuesday night, will undergo left shoulder surgery and be out of the lineup for four to six months.
With Kane out and options limited at forward, coach Paul Maurice moved All-Star defenseman Dustin Byfuglien back to the wing, where he started the season.
Scheifele opened the scoring 4:17 into the first period, forcing a turnover by David Rundblad on the forecheck and beating Crawford to the top corner.
Patrick Kane tied it 2:50 into the second period when he broke in alone, went to his backhand and roofed it over a sprawling Michael Hutchinson for his 26th goal. It was Chicago's first goal in 149 minutes and 25 seconds.
Daniel Carcillo returned to the Blackhawks' lineup after serving a six-game suspension for a cross-check on Jets forward Mathieu Perrault on Jan. 16. It took only 67 seconds for Carcillo to drop the gloves with Winnipeg's Chris Thorburn. Jets forward Anthony Peluso attempted to fight Carcillo in the second period, but the Chicago forward didn't oblige.
Hutchinson got the start in all three previous meetings between the clubs, posting a 1.00 goals-against average and .971 save percentage.
NOTES: The Blackhawks were shut out in their previous two games, the first time that happened since a three-game drought in October 2006. ... Jets forward Patrice Cormier, who was recalled from St. John's on Thursday after Evander Kane was placed on the injured reserve, didn't play.
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