Blackhawks Jets Recap: Frondell Scores, Jets Win
The latest Blackhawks Jets recap featured a milestone night for Chicago rookie Anton Frondell, a career-best scoring season for Tyler Bertuzzi, and a late Winnipeg push that ended the game in overtime. At the United Center on Tuesday night, the Chicago Blackhawks hosted the NHL’s Winnipeg Jets for the fourth meeting between the teams this season, and the visitors left with a 4-3 win after Kyle Connor scored just 33 seconds into overtime.
The matchup also brought Jonathan Toews back to Chicago for the second time as a visiting player. He received a standing ovation when he stepped onto the ice for the first time, though he did not acknowledge the crowd. Winnipeg entered the night only three points below the playoff line and played with urgency from the opening faceoff, a sharp contrast to its earlier trip to Chicago, when postseason hopes looked much dimmer.
Frondell opens the scoring
Chicago struck first when Anton Frondell scored the first goal of his NHL career at 4:42 of the opening period. The play started with a shot from Louis Crevier, and after Ilya Mikheyev collected the rebound, he set up Frondell for the finish. For the Blackhawks, it was a bright moment in a game that eventually turned into another test of their ability to protect a lead.
That has been a recurring theme for Chicago this season, and it showed again in this Blackhawks Jets recap. The Blackhawks have often started well in first periods, but sustaining that level for a full 60 minutes has been a problem. Even so, Frondell’s first NHL goal gave the home side an early lift and added another notable chapter to his first season.
Winnipeg answers and takes control
The Jets tied the game early in the second period when Josh Morrissey scored 1:06 into the frame, with assists from Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele. Winnipeg then seized momentum with two goals in less than a minute, as Cole Perfetti and Isak Rosen helped push the visitors ahead 3-1.
Chicago could have been buried at that point, but Tyler Bertuzzi kept the Blackhawks within striking distance before the second intermission. He scored on a spin-o-rama move that fooled Connor Hellebuyck and trimmed the deficit to 3-2. That goal mattered not only in the moment, but also in the larger story of Bertuzzi’s season, which continued to climb toward a new personal benchmark.
Bertuzzi reaches a career high
The Blackhawks kept pressing in the third period and were rewarded when Bertuzzi scored again to tie the game at 3-3. The two-goal effort gave him 30 and 31 goals on the season, both career highs. In a year where Chicago has had to search for positives, Bertuzzi’s production has been one of the clearest bright spots.
Chicago also controlled the shot count late, outshooting Winnipeg 10-2 in the third period. Still, neither team found the go-ahead goal in regulation, and the Blackhawks Jets recap moved into overtime tied after a tense finish. The Blackhawks had shown better defensive structure, more compete, and a better ability to score when needed than they did during their recent four-game East Coast trip, including the one they won.
Connor ends it quickly in overtime
Winnipeg needed only 33 seconds of overtime to decide the game. Kyle Connor buried the winner before Chicago could even complete a line change, sealing a 4-3 Jets victory. The quick finish underscored how little margin exists in overtime, especially against a team still fighting for playoff position.
For Chicago, the result was frustrating because the performance was more competitive than some of its recent outings. The team found an early lead, got a milestone goal from Frondell, and received another strong scoring night from Bertuzzi, but it still could not close the door. For Winnipeg, the win was another important step in a tight postseason chase.
What it means for Chicago
This Blackhawks Jets recap offered a mixed bag for the Blackhawks. Frondell’s first NHL goal was a meaningful development moment, Bertuzzi continued his career year, and the team showed more resilience than it had on the road. But the inability to finish the job in regulation remained the difference, and that will continue to be a concern as Chicago heads into its next stretch of games.
The Blackhawks return to action Tuesday night on the road against the Edmonton Oilers as they begin a run of games in Alberta. If Chicago can carry over the improved effort from this matchup, it may have a better chance of turning close games into wins.
- Anton Frondell scored his first career NHL goal.
- Tyler Bertuzzi scored twice and reached 30 and 31 goals for the season, both career highs.
- Josh Morrissey, Cole Perfetti, Isak Rosen, and Kyle Connor scored for Winnipeg.
- The Jets won 4-3 in overtime after Connor scored 33 seconds into the extra period.
