Chicago Blackhawks (9–11–5) at Winnipeg Jets (13–8–2)
7:00pm CST
Bell MTS Arena
TV/Radio: NBCSCH/WGN
PROJECTED STARTERS
Chicago – Corey Crawford (5 – 9 – 1, SV%: 0.906 GAA: 2.98)
Winnipeg– Connor Hellebuyck (9 – 7 – 1, SV%: 0.907 GAA: 2.98)
TEAM STATISTICS
Power Play
Chicago (12.3%, 31st)
Winnipeg (29.8%, 2nd)
Penalty Kill
Chicago (75.0%, 2T-27h)
Winnipeg (81.8%, 9th)
Shorts for/against
Chicago (32.6, 12th; 33.5, 28th)
Winnipeg (32.2, 14th; 32.3, 20th)
Shooting %
Chicago (8.3%, 28th)
Winnipeg (10.4%, 8th)
Faceoff %
Chicago (49.8%,16th)
Winnipeg (51.5%, T-10th)
Avg. height/weight
Chicago 6’1”, 197lbs
Winnipeg 6’2” 202lbs
PROJECTED LINES/PAIRINGS
Chicago Blackhawks
Brandon Saad – Jonathan Toews – Brendan Perlini
Alex DeBrincat – Dylan Strome – Patrick Kane
John Hayden – David Kampf – Dominik Kahun
Alexandre Fortin – Marcus Kruger – Artem Anisimov
Duncan Keith – Gustav Forsling
Erik Gustafsson – Henri Jokiharju
Brandon Manning – Brent Seabrook
Winnipeg Jets
Nikolaj Ehlers – Mark Scheifele – Blake Wheeler
Kyle Connor – Bryan Little – Patrik Laine
Mathieu Perreault – Adam Lowry – Brandon Tanev
Brendan Lemieux – Jack Roslovic – Nic Petan
Josh Morrissey – Jacob Trouba
Ben Chiarot – Cameron Schilling
Tyler Myers – Sami Niku
Analysis
Coming off the worst loss of the season, and that’s saying something this year, Chicago travels to Winnipeg to take on the Jets. That loss, 8 – 3 to Vegas, was difficult to watch. Tonight’s response to the loss will be interesting.
Newly acquired center Dylan Strome scored his first goal with the Blackhawks, his fourth of the season overall. In one short showing, Strome did find himself in the “greasy” areas that are not always occupied by Blackhawk forwards. A small positive to take away from the Tuesday night.
Keep an eye on the line combinations tonight. Jeremy Colliton spread the minutes around on Tuesday, easy to do when being blown out, but chemistry is lacking.
Winnipeg, off a 4 – 3 loss at home to Pittsburgh, has been looking for better goaltending from Connor Hellebuyck, signed to a 6-year deal this past off-season, as their franchise backbone. The 25-year old Hellebuyck has struggled to a .907 save percentage and 2.98 goals against average.
The offensive firepower from the Jets can be impressive any given night. Winger Patrick Laine leads the team in goals (19), while, captain Blake Wheeler leads in assists (25) and points (29). The Blackhawk’s defense cannot play on their heels tonight, equally as important, the forwards need to be better in support.