CHICAGO - The Chicago Blackhawks took on the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday night. This game against the Central Division’s leader ended the home portion of Chicago’s schedule for 2024-25. 

The Blackhawks came out firing as they took a 2-0 lead in the first period thanks to goals by Nick Foligno and Connor Bedard. Going up against Connor Hellebuyck, one of the best goalies in the world, it was a wonderful start. 

In the second period, the Jets did what they do best and came back. The Blackhawks looked good early in the middle frame, but things went south when Nino Niederreiter scored to get Winnipeg on the board. 

Not long after that, Kyle Connor tied the game with his 41st goal of the season. That 2-2 deadlock went to the second intermission, setting up an incredible finish to the home schedule. 

In the final frame, the Jets took less than three minutes to take a 3-2 lead in the hockey game. Josh Morrissey threw one through traffic, and it went in the net off of Spencer Knight. 

The Blackhawks didn’t roll over. In the second half of the third, Ryan Donato scored his 31st goal of the season to keep his special run going strong. On the goal, Connor Bedard collected his 81st career assist, which is the most by a teenager in Blackhawks history.

Frank Nazar put the Blackhawks ahead not long after, but the lead didn’t stand for long as Josh Morrissey tied it right back up with his second of the game before regulation was over. Despite plenty of chances in overtime for both sides, the game required a shootout. 

Connor Bedard was the only Blackhawk to score in the shootout while both Kyle Connor and Cole Perfetti tucked one in to give the Jets the win. This victory secured the Central Division title for them. 

After the game ended, the Jets stayed on the ice to deliver handshakes to both Patrick Maroon and Alec Martinez. Both of them ended wonderful careers that saw each of them win three Stanley Cups. It was a wonderful sign of sportsmanship as two amazing players are leaving the game. 

Now, the Blackhawks will hit the road without Martinez and Maroon for their final two games of the season. It begins with a trip to Quebec to visit the Montreal Canadiens on Monday. 

Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay updated on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and more.

The Nashville Predators (29-42-8, 66 points) visit the Vegas Golden Knights (48-22-9, 105 points) for their final road game of the season Saturday at T-Mobile Arena.

The Predators are 3-7-0 in their last 10 games and coming off a 4-3 shootout win over the Utah Hockey Club on Thursday. The Golden Knights, who are in first place in the Pacific Division, are 7-2-1 in their last 10 and coming off a 2-1 defeat of the Seattle Kraken.

How the Predators Lined Up vs. Vegas

Bunting-O'Reilly-Evangelista
Forsberg-Stamkos-Marchessault
Vrana-Svechkov-L'Heureux
Smith-McCarron-Wood

Skjei-Blankenburg
Oesterle-Barron
Englund-Del Gaizo

Annunen
Saros

Extra: Sissons (week-to-week, lower-body)
IR: Lauzon, Wilsby, Josi

Predators at Golden Knights: Live Game Thread

First Period (NSH 0, VGK 0)

Another home game, another victory for the Florida Panthers.

On Saturday, Florida welcomed the Buffalo Sabres to Sunrise and came away with an exciting 3-2 shootout victory.

The two Atlantic Division rivals played a scoreless opening period, until a tripping penalty by Evan Rodrigues gave the Sabres their first power play of the game.

Rasmus Dahlin rushed the puck up the ice and made a nice give-and-go play with Jason Zucker, ending up with a wide-open net and giving Buffalo a 1-0 lead with 19 seconds left in the first period.

A nice play by Carter Verhaeghe would tie the game early in the second period.

After Seth Jones missed the net with a long wrist shot, Verhaeghe picked up the carrum off the back boards and drove to the net, making a nice move to his backhand and beating a sprawling Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.

Almost exactly 10 minutes later, Jesse Puljujarvi picked up his first goal as a member of the Panthers, deflecting a shot by Uvis Balinskis to give Florida their first lead of the game.

It would then be Buffalo’s turn to tie the game, and once again they would score while on the power play.

This time it was JJ Peterka scoring from a sharp angle off a nice feed from Dahlin just as a 5-on-3 advantage was expiring for Buffalo.

The knotted score would hold throughout the remainder of regulation and the five-minute overtime session, so the game headed to a shootout.

An opening goal by Anton Lundell would be all Florida needed as Vitek Vanecek stopped Jack Quinn, Peterka and Alex Tuch to seal the deal for the Cats.

On to the Rangers.

QUICK THOUGHTS

Balinskis played in his 100th NHL game, notching his 14th assist of the season and third over his past two outings.

Verhaeghe has now scored in consecutive games for just the third time this season and the first time since Feb. 1 and 2.

He also logged an assist, giving Verhaeghe four points over a three-game point streak.

Seth Jones has logged four assists over his past seven games.

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The Buffalo Sabres have announced that defenseman Owen Power will miss the remainder of the team's April 12 matchup against the Florida Panthers. 

Power recorded one shot in 13:27 of ice time before exiting the contest. The Sabres have not yet announced what injury Power has suffered. 

Power, 22, has appeared in 79 games this season for the Sabres, where he has set new career highs with seven goals, 33 assists, and 40 points. The 2021 first-overall pick is an incredibly important part of the Sabres' blueline, so this is certainly concerning news. 

In 241 career NHL games over four seasons with the Sabres, Power has 19 goals, 92 assists, 111 points, and a plus-8 rating. 

Recent Sabres News 

Sabres Star Finishing The Season Red-HotThe end of the season is just about here for the Buffalo Sabres, as the Atlantic Division club will not be in the playoffs for the 14th consecutive year. While this is the case, the Sabres have been playing some of their best hockey of the season, winning eight out of their last 10 games. Sabres Breakout Forward Closing In On Nice MilestoneThe Buffalo Sabres are almost at the end of their season, as they have just five games remaining. Overall, it has been another tough season for the Sabres, but off-season addition Ryan McLeod has undoubtedly been one of their bright spots.

Former Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Alec Martinez will retire from professional hockey after his season with the Chicago Blackhawks concludes.

The 37-year-old played 861 NHL games, scoring 88 goals and 289 points. 221 of those games were with the Golden Knights, scoring 21 goals and 79 points. Martinez won three Stanley Cups throughout his career, two with the Los Angeles Kings and one with the Golden Knights. 

During his pregame interview prior to the Blackhawks matchup with the Winnipeg Jets, Martinez told Darren Pang that tonight's game will be the last one of his career. 

"Obviously a lot of different emotions today...just very thankful, very appreciative," said Martinez.

Throughout his career, Martinez was known for his defensive game, consistently performing as one of the best shot blockers in the NHL. Martinez also scored multiple clutch goals in the playoffs, including the winner in double overtime in Game 5 when the Kings defeated the New York Rangers. 

Known as a great defensive defenseman, Martinez was a beloved teammate throughout his Vegas tenure and was highly recognized for his leadership.

Stay updated with the most interesting Golden Knights stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favourites on Google News to never miss a story.

Saturday night marks the final time that Marc-André Fleury will feature on an NHL roster for a game in Vancouver. The Minnesota Wild goaltender and future Hockey Hall of Famer is retiring at the end of the season, ending a historic 21-year career. While Fluery isn't projected to play, do not be surpised if the Vancouver Canucks find a way to honour one of the best goaltenders of the 21st Century.

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Over the last two decades, Fluery has experienced plenty of success in and against Vancouver. He is 16-2 all time against the Canucks and was part of Team Canada's 2010 Winter Olympics team which captured Gold. Fluery has even had success against Vancouver in the playoffs, winning his only start while playing for the Vegas Golden Knights in 2020.

Fluery has had many teammates and coaches, including Canucks Head Coach Rick Tocchet. The two spent three seasons together with the Pittsburgh Penguins, which resulted in two Stanley Cups. When asked about working with Fluery, Tocchet pointed out just how special a person he is on and off the ice.

"One of my favorite guys, said Tocchet. "I'm not a goalie coach, but one of my favorite guys to be part of a coaching team, to actually be on the same team as a coach. Phenomenal guy. When you talk about a team guy, he's the ultimate team guy. You look it up in the dictionary. I can name a bunch of players, but he's up there. Thinks about the team. Always thinks that every goal is his fault. Never blames his defense. I don't think he's ever looked at a defenseman. I know some guys will look at the D after goals like, What are you doing? He never does that. Like, he's a gem. Love the kid.

As for a special memory, Tocchet pointed to May 10, 2017. The Penguins were playing the Washington Capitals in the second round, with the series needing seven games. In the end, Pittsburgh was victorious by a score of 2-0, with Fleury securing the shutout win.

"He's a winner. Some of the games he's played. I remember Game 7 against Washington. He was playing, and Washington was all over us. I don't know what the shot total was, but they could have been five, nothing, and he kept us in. And I remember talking to Mike Sullivan after the first. I said, we're gonna win this game now. And we took over the game in the second, and we beat a great Washington team in Game 7. But, if it wasn't for Fleury, we wouldn't advance. So that was one of the memories I had for how good he is."

Fans in Vancouver can see Fleury hit the ice one more time at Rogers Arena on Saturday when the Canucks take on the Wild. The NHL's second-most-winning goaltender of all time will also be on Sportsnet's "After Hours" following the game, answering questions from Scott Oake about a career that has spanned over 1,000 regular-season games. Puck drop of Saturday is scheduled for 7:00 pm PT from Rogers Arena.

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum.