Process for pelletizing polyethylene resin are disclosed, the processes providing pelletized resin having reduced occurrence of defects such as black specks. Polyethylene resin is conveyed in a downstream direction through a mixer having a feed zone, a melt-mixing zone downstream of the feed zone, and a melt-conveying zone downstream of the melt-mixing zone; contacted with nitrogen gas in the melt-conveying zone; and conveyed through a mixer discharge to form pellets. Also disclosed are processes of forming films from such resins, the films having reduced occurrence of gels, and articles such as blow molded or injection molded articles.