Connor Hellebuyck sets American goalie record in Jets’ 4-1 win over Blackhawks

Hellebuyck also tied the NHL record for most wins at home by a goaltender in a single season with 30. Wayne Stephenson of the 1975-76 Philadelphia Flyers had the same tally.

Dustin Byfuglien and Kyle Connor also scored for the Jets (52-20-10), who have won five straight and a franchise-record nine in a row at Bell MTS Place.

Winnipeg opens the NHL playoffs next week at home against the Minnesota Wild.

Jeff Glass stopped 35 shots for the Blackhawks (33-39-10), who didn’t make the playoffs for the first time since 2007-08.

Brent Seabrook scored Chicago’s lone goal.

“It sucks,” Seabrook said. “I’ve said (to the media) a million times, I think it’s the best part of the season coming up here. To not be a part of it, not playing any meaningful games for us down the stretch, it’s been tough.”

Blackhawks forward Patrick Sharp got a standing ovation in the third period after the announcer told the crowd the 36-year-old is retiring after 14 NHL seasons, 11 with Chicago.

“Being born in Winnipeg and then hearing the ovation from the crowd, seeing the other team tap their sticks and clap their hands, that hit hard and I’m just thankful for it, grateful for it,” Sharp said.

The victims and survivors of the fatal bus accident Friday involving Saskatchewan’s Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team were honoured before the game.

Standing together in a circle at centre ice, Jets and Blackhawks players wore jerseys with the word ‘BRONCOS’ on the back of them in place of their own names as there was a moment of silence and then the anthems.

“It was a very sombre mood on the ice, kind of one of those things where it could have been any one of us,” Copp said.

“You kind of count your blessings. You kind of look to the guy to your left and right, they’re not usual teammates or brothers, but you feel that sense of camaraderie and community with them.”

Winnipeg had mounted a 4-0 lead by early in the second period.

Byfuglien began the onslaught when he scored 13 seconds into a two-man advantage with a high blast from the point at 15:12 of the first period.

Connor beat Glass on a breakaway 34 seconds into the second. It was his 31st goal of the season, which leads all NHL rookies.

Copp put in his eighth and ninth of the campaign, the second a short-handed goal, to make it 4-0 at 6:35.

Seabrook stopped the shutout with a screened shot at 9:08 of the second.

The Jets, who relocated from Atlanta in 2011, also set franchise records for wins (52), points (114) and home wins (21).

Judy Owen, The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

Connor Hellebuyck sets American goalie record in Jets’ 4-1 win over Blackhawks

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