3 Takeaways From the Chicago Blackhawks Almost Beating the Winnipeg Jets

The Chicago Blackhawks clung to the possibility of shutting out the NHL's best team in the standings for 56 minutes. As we have seen too many times this season, the Hawks just could not hang on as the Winnipeg Jets rallied to beat the Hawks 2-1.

The Jets have now won eight consecutive contests and avenged a road loss to the Hawks. Oddly enough, the Chicago Blackhawks were the last team to beat the Jets and it took overtime to do that.

The Blackhawks have now lost 14 straight road games. Their record is below .500 when they score first.

Here are three takeaways from this tough road loss...

Petr Mrazek was outstanding in goal.

He was a wall in goal up until the game's final minutes. He stopped 26 of 28 shots. Mrazek made some huge saves, especially in the third period when the Jets started their offensive barrage.

Even the two goals he gave up in the end were not his fault. Which brings us to our second takeaway...

The blue line collapsed down the stretch.

It is a shame that happened as the defensemen had a great game for about 56 minutes. Heck, the blue line even scored a rare goal when Connor Murphy rifled a shot past Laurent Brossoit in the second period.

The defensive unit combined for 20 blocked shots. Then it all came crashing down when Gabriel Vilardi snuck past Jared Tinordi to get open in front of the net. Adam Lowry set him up with a nifty pass and Vilardi just flicked the puck into the net.

This was a game where the Hawks needed Seth Jones, but he is not quite ready to return from his injury. Hence, we have to watch Tinordi get burned night after night.

Although Nikolaj Ehlers game-winning goal was a defensive collapse by everyone on the ice for the Blackhawks as you can see...

The Jets showed they literally can turn it on whenever they want and come out with two points. The Hawks on the other hand have to stay focused and skate hard for 60 minutes to have a shot at winning. Unfortunately, they were only able to do that for 56 minutes.

The penalty-kill unit was outstanding.

The PK unit got some work as the Hawks committed four penalties. They made sure the Jets did not cash in as all four power plays were killed off. They were killed off pretty easily.

That special team unit has been impressive lately.

A great goaltending performance and penalty kill night should have added up to a stunning victory. Too bad the games are 60 minutes, otherwise the Hawks would have won.