Winnipeg Jets (45–29–4) vs. Chicago Blackhawks (34–33–11)
7:30 p.m. CST
STAPLES Center
TV/Radio: WGN
PROJECTED STARTERS
Chicago – Corey Crawford (14–18–4, save percentage: .908, goals against average: 2.94)
Winnipeg – Connor Hellebuyck (32–23–2, save percentage: .913, goals against average: 2.92)
TEAM STATISTICS
Power play
Chicago (20.5 percent, 12th)
Winnipeg (25.5 percent, Fourth)
Penalty kill
Chicago (72.7 percent, 31st)
Winnipeg (79.0 percent, 23rd)
Shots for/against
Chicago (32.5, 11th; 34.5, 30th)
Winnipeg (31.0, 19th; 33.7, 29th)
Shooting percentage
Chicago (10.0 percent, Ninth)
Winnipeg (10.7 percent, Fourth)
Faceoff percentage
Chicago (49.4 percent, T-20th)
Winnipeg (50.7 percent, 11th)
Average height and weight
Chicago 6’1”, 195 lbs.
Winnipeg 6’2”, 201 lbs.
PROJECTED LINES/PAIRINGS
Chicago Blackhawks
Brandon Saad–Jonathan Toews–Dylan Sikura
Alex DeBrincat–Dylan Strome–Dominik Kahun
Drake Caggiula–Artem Anisimov–Patrick Kane
Chris Kunitz–David Kampf–Marcus Kruger
Gustav Forsling–Brent Seabrook
Winnipeg Jets
Nikolaj Ehlers–Mark Scheifele–Blake Wheeler
Kyle Connor–Kevin Hayes–Patrik Laine
Brandon Tanev–Adam Lowry–Bryan Little
Matt Hendricks–Andrew Copp–Mathieu Perreault
Nathan Beaulieu–Jacob Trouba
Dmitry Kulikov–Tyler Myers
Ben Chiarot–Sami Niku
Analysis
The Blackhawks’ playoff hopes have all but come to an end. The last few games now continue the tryout for spots on next year’s roster. Notables that will continue auditioning for positions include Brendan Perlini, Slater Koekkoek and John Hayden (assuming Hayden ever gets into a game).
The concerns for this team were put on display in Saturday night’s loss to the Los Angeles Kings. Defensemen being out of position was the highlight of the loss. It is clear what the primary need for this team in the offseason is.
The remaining schedule for the Blackhawks consists of four division rivals. Three home games against the Winnipeg Jets, St. Louis Blues and Dallas Stars, followed by the season finale at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. If these remaining games are good for anything, it will be to measure where they stand against the playoff-qualifying Central Division teams.
The Jets are in a tie with the Nashville Predators at the top of the Central Division, with the Blues only two points back of both teams. The next week of play for the Jets will determine whether or not they earn a Central Division title or if they fall into a spot against either the Blues or Predators.
Although still a good team, the Jets have cooled off since their early season tear. This is a chance for the Blackhawks to play spoiler against the Jets. Winnipeg is arguably the most complete team in the division, however, the Blackhawks have a golden opportunity to take the Jets down a notch in the standings with a win on Monday evening.