Hawks goal drought continues as Frolik’s early goal gives Jets 1-0 win

Michael Hutchinson stopped 33 shots for his first career shutout, and Michael Frolik scored 20 seconds in on the first shift of the game to lead the Winnipeg Jets to a 1-0 win over the Blackhawks on Sunday night.Hutchinson was solid in just his second start, first complete game and third appearance this season.The Jets extended their point streak to five games (4-0-1) and recorded their second shutout in two nights. No. 1 goalie Ondrej Pavelec beat the Rangers 1-0 in New York on Saturday in a shootout.The 24-year-old Hutchinson entered having played only 40 minutes this season.Corey Crawford stopped 26 shots in his second start in two nights after he missed six games with an upper-body injury. The Blackhawks lost their second straight and are 2-5 in their last seven.The Hawks were beaten 1-0 for the second consecutive home game.Both teams played for the third time in four nights. Winnipeg went 3-0-1 on its four-game trip.The Blackhawks entered leading the NHL with an average of 38.9 shots per game, but were only 21st at 2.46 goals.They had a hard time against Hutchinson and the scrappy Jets. As has been the case, the Hawks were unable to generate much traffic in front of the net or pounce on rebounds.The Jets got all the offense they needed early as they moved straight into the Hawk zone off the opening faceoff.Frolik, a former Hawk, skated across the crease, closed in from the left side and lifted the puck past Crawford’s glove as the goalie sprawled trying to stop the shot.Patrick Sharp broke in alone with 3:40 left in the first and faked Hutchinson to the ice, but his shot clanked off the right post.Jonathan Toews fired a drive from the left circle off the left post midway through the second during a Hawk power play. Hutchinson stopped another prime chance by Sharp moments later.The Blackhawks shot wide on some of their best chances in the third period. Hutchinson stopped Patrick Kane‘s quick shot from the left circle with 2:40 left.

NOTES—Hutchinson was pulled early in the second period of his only previous start this season, a 4-1 loss at Los Angeles on Oct. 12, after he allowed three goals on 13 shots. He also replaced Pavelec in the third period of a 4-2 loss to Tampa Bay on Oct. 24. This was Hutchinson’s sixth career NHL game. … Before the game, Blackhawks RW Marian Hossa was honored by the team and the NHL for becoming the 80th player to record 1,000 points. He reached that mark last Thursday in Ottawa. …Niklas Hjalmarsson skated with a visor after sustaining a cut under his left eye in Toronto on Saturday….Michal Rozsival was a healthy scratch…..The Blackhawks are at Montreal Tuesday night.