Preview: Blackhawks at Jets
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[October 29, 2015]
Chicago Blackhawks coach Joel
Quenneville hopes for more offense when his squad visits the Winnipeg
Jets on Thursday, but there is no arguing the defending Stanley Cup
champions have earned their last two victories – both of which came in
dramatic fashion. Corey Crawford shut out the opposition and captain
Jonathan Toews scored the game’s lone tally in back-to-back 1-0
triumphs, marking the first time since the NHL reintroduced overtime in
1983-84 a team has won consecutive overtime shutouts.
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The Blackhawks are without defensive standout Duncan Keith (torn
right knee meniscus) for at least the next four weeks, but Crawford
has been spectacular in making 60 saves in victories over Tampa Bay
and Anaheim to extend Chicago’s winning streak to four games. The
Jets could not hold a 1-0 lead Tuesday at home against Los Angeles,
losing a 4-1 decision to fall to 2-2-1 on their six-game homestand.
Rookie Nikolaj Ehlers quickly has established himself as a key
member of the Jets’ offense, as the 19-year-old enters Thursday with
a three-game goal-scoring streak. After facing the Blackhawks,
Winnipeg plays eight of its next nine games away from home.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, CSN Chicago (Chicago), TSN3 (Winnipeg)
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ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (6-3-0): Toews averaged 27.9 goals in his
previous eight seasons but had not scored until netting the
game-winner 17 seconds into overtime Friday against Tampa Bay, then
beat Anaheim 51 seconds into the extra session three nights later.
Chicago has to be better in its own zone, as it survived against the
Ducks despite allowing 19 third-period shots. Crawford is second in
the NHL in goals-against average (1.57) and fourth in save
percentage (.943).
ABOUT THE JETS (5-3-1): Winnipeg has struggled to put together a
complete game during its homestand, nearly blowing a four-goal lead
in Sunday’s win over Minnesota before Los Angeles scored three goals
(two empty-netters) in the final 4:41 on Tuesday. The Jets have
given up four tallies in each of their last four games after
allowing a total of nine in their first five contests. Ehlers also
is riding a four-game points streak, and his 33 shots lead the Jets
while tying for 12th in the league.
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OVERTIME
1. Winnipeg G Michael Hutchinson had allowed only one goal before
surrendering four on Sunday, but he still is 3-0-0 with a .935 save
percentage.
2. The Blackhawks recalled C Tanner Kero from Rockford of the
American Hockey League on Tuesday, and he is expected to make his
NHL debut against Winnipeg.
3. Chicago has not scored in regulation in 139 minutes, 43 seconds.
PREDICTION: Blackhawks 3, Jets 2
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