Levshunov Scores OT Winner, Blackhawks Beat Jets 4-3

The Chicago Blackhawks (3-5-0) remain undefeated with captain Connor Bedard in the lineup, defeating the Winnipeg Jets (4-1-2) 4-3 in overtime at the United Center on Thursday. It’s just the fourth win for the Blackhawks in the last 21 meetings against Winnipeg dating back to Febuary 2020.

Artyom Levshunov tallied the overtime winner for the Blackhawks, who’ve now won two consecutive games since Bedard returned from offseason shoulder surgery.

Both Levshunov and Bedard found the back of the net for the first time this season, while Frank Nazar and Ryan Donato also scored in the win. Spencer Knight stopped 31 of 34 shots, recording his third victory of the season.

Neal Pionk, Kyle Connor, and Alex Iafallo were the goal scorers for Winnipeg, while Stuart Skinner allowed four goals on 28 shots, earning his first career loss to the Blackhawks.

Bedard opened the scoring for the Blackhawks on a 5-on-3 power play, using his curl-and-drag release to lift the puck over Stuart Skinner’s blocker. Patrick Kane tallied his first of two assists on the night with the primary helper, officially surpassing Phil Housley for the most assists in NHL history among American-born players.

Nazar had an active return from a two-game suspension and doubled the Blackhawks lead late in the first period, capping off a breakaway chance with a beautiful shot past Skinner’s blocker. Both Bedard and Nazar found the back of the net early in their first game together this season.

Pionk got Winnipeg on the board just 1:47 after Nazar’s tally, as his wrist shot from the point deflected off Ethan Del Mastro’s stick and past Knight, trimming Chicago’s lead to 2-1.

However, Donato quickly restored the two-goal lead 14 seconds after Pionk’s goal, sniping a shot past Skinner for his second goal of the season. Through 20 minutes, the Blackhawks led 3-1.

Over the final two periods of regulation, the Jets found their footing and swung the momentum in their favor, outshooting the Blackhawks 25-12 and leading 30-14 in scoring chances. Poor transition defense and shoddy puck play in the defensive zone, two of the most pressing issues for the Blackhawks this season, ultimately cost them a two-goal lead, much like Thursday against Pittsburgh.

Connor cut the Jets’ deficit to 3-2 early in the second period with a power-play strike, which extended his goal streak to four games. Then, in the third, Iafallo scored on a redirect to tie the game 3-3.

As the Blackhawks were on their heels late in regulation, Knight came up with several quality stops to help get the game into overtime, while the goal post helped him a few times, too. Knight saved his best save for when it mattered most, though, denying Pionk from point-blank in overtime to further extend the game.

Just moments later, Bedard helped set up Levshunov for the game-winning goal with a terrific behind-the-back pass at the top of the offensive zone. Levshunov skated down the slot and wired a shot into the top corner, marking his first career game-winning goal.

Here are the highlights from the Blackhawks 4-3 (OT) win over Winnipeg, moving their regular-season record to 3-5-0 through eight games.

First Period

The game’s opening goal was a record-setter for everyone involved. Bedard buried a shot on the 5-on-3 power play at 8:11 for his first goal as Blackhawks captain. With the primary helper, Kane officially passes Phil Housley for the most assists in NHL history by an American-born player. Plus, Bertuzzi recorded his 200th career assist with the secondary helper. What a goal. 1-0, Blackhawks.

Nazar doubled the Blackhawks lead as he finally buried a breakaway chance, roofing a shot past Skinner’s blocker at 15:10. Credit to Knight for blockering the puck to center ice, leading to Nazar’s opportunity. He was robbed of an assist! 2-0, Blackhawks.

Pionk got the Jets on the board at 16:57, as his shot from the right point found its way through traffic and past Knight, cutting the Blackhawks lead in half. 2-1.

Just 14 seconds after Pionk’s tally, Donato regained the Blackhawks two-goal advantage with a lofty individual effort. Donato created time and space while entering the offensive zone and launched a shot over Skinner’s blocker at 17:11 for his second goal of the season. 3-1, Chicago.

The Blackhawks took their two-goal lead into the first intermission. Chicago also led 14-8 in shots and 12-9 in scoring chances in the period. It was a terrific start, and arguably the team’s

Second Period

With Ryan Greene in the penalty box for tripping, the Jets converted on the power play to cut their deficit to one early in the second period. Connor extended his goal streak to four games and tied Kirill Kaprizov for the NHL lead with his eighth goal of the season at 4:44. 3-2.

Bedard had a prime opportunity for his second goal, as Skinner committed a horrendous turnover while trying to play the puck from out of his net. Haydn Fleury’s effort on the backcheck prevented Bedard from hitting an open net from a sharp angle. Still 3-2.

Then, in the final seconds of the period, Bedard had another grade-A chance for his second goal, but rang a shot off the post. Kane made a perfect feed to find Bedard wide open at the left circle. Still 3-2.

Through 40 minutes, the Blackhawks led 3-2, but the Jets were ahead in most statistics after an improved second period. Winnipeg led 21-20 in shots on goal and 19-14 in scoring chances.

Third Period

Iafallo tied the game by redirecting Pionk’s point shot past Knight at 5:39. 3-3. It’s the second consecutive game in which the Blackhawks have blown a 3-1 lead. Pionk recorded his third point of the game with the primary assist.

Overtime

Not too long after Knight’s game-saving stop on Pionk, Bedard set up Levshunov for the game-winning goal at 1:37 of overtime. Levshunov did well to find open space, and the captain made a dazzling behind-the-back pass to find him. The Arty Party did the rest, scoring his first career overtime winner. 4-3, Blackhawks. FINAL.

The Blackhawks return to action next on Saturday against another division foe, as the Dallas Stars come to town for the first meeting this season. The Hawks will look to keep it going and win their third consecutive game.

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