That headline is a little misleading, as the Jets didn't really dominate the Chicago Blackhawks, as so much as continue their overall domination of their season-series against the Hawks, coming from behind to defeat them tonight at the United Center, 5-3. The Jets lead the season series 4-0 and are 3-0 at the United Center this season. Suffice to say the Jets have their number.
Even though Laine still leads all rookies in points, the NHL "experts" are now all over the Maple Leafs center Austen Matthews, to take the Calder trophy for NHL rookie of the year, even though Matthews only leads Laine by one goal.
Laine has scored two points in the last two games since missing the last eight games before that, so essentially, it took Laine to get injured for Matthews to catch up.
So the favors persist for anyone who is deemed the savior of the team that resides in the center of the universe.
But the real story of this game was the continued sizzle of Bryan Little. Little now has 13 goals in the last 29 games to give him 26 points since his return from his season-opening injury. He has potted six goals in his last five games and stands with nine points in that span.
Head coach Paul Maurice decided to go with Connor Hellebuyck, as he has a good record against eh Hawks this season and the Jets remain undefeated against them. The Jets continued good fortunes on United Center ice as they are now 3-0 in the Windy City this year.
No to be out done, Mark Schiefele added an empty-netter to seal the game for the Jets. In doing so, he keeps pace with Laine for the Jets goal-scoring lead at 22.
So the Jets snap a three-game losing streak and now sit in sixth in the NHL's Central division (recently being passed by the Dallas Stars) with 50 points, three points behind the Calgary Flames for the last wild card spot in the Western conference.
It's nice to go into the All-Star weekend with a win, isn't it?
