Thibault Returns, Leads Blackhawks

Jocelyn Thibault made it clear Sunday that he’s the Chicago Blackhawks’ No. 1 goaltender.

Starting for the first time since March 20, Thibault stopped 18 shots as the Blackhawks defeated the Minnesota Wild, 2-1.

“It’s been a while since I won a game, so it feels great,” Thibault said. “The guys played a real solid game in front of me. I feel like we are rolling again.”

Thibault (31-21-9) has played in 63 of the team’s 75 games, but had gone 1-5-2 since the Olympic break while backup Steve Passmore started and won three straight games.

“Joce was sharp,” Chicago Coach Brian Sutter said. “He was very good. Steve’s played very well, and I’ve said all along we are going to need them both.”

Tony Amonte scored his 350th goal and assisted on Alex Zhamnov’s goal in the first period to provide all the scoring Chicago needed to defeat the Wild.