Preview: Blackhawks at Jets

[March 18, 2016]  SportsDirect Inc.
 
 Andrew Ladd returns to Winnipeg for the first time since being dealt at the trade deadline as the Chicago Blackhawks attempt to snap a four-game skid on Friday against the host Jets. Ladd, who has two goals and two assists during his second stint with the Blackhawks, scored the game-winning tally in Winnipeg's 3-1 victory over Chicago on Oct. 29.

"You spend that much time with an organization, walking into the same rink each and every day, now to go back there and be on the other side of the rink, in a different dressing room, is going to be a weird feeling," said the 30-year-old Ladd, who spent parts of six seasons with the current Jets' franchise. Chicago's current tailspin also provides a different look for the team as it resides in third place in the Central Division behind front-running Dallas and St. Louis. Further down the standings sits Winnipeg, which fell for the 11th time in 15 outings with a 4-1 setback to Calgary on Wednesday. Marko Dano, who was included in the deal for Ladd, recorded an assist against the Flames for his fifth point (three goals, two assists) in the last five outings.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, CSN Chicago, TSN3 (Winnipeg), NHL Network

ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (41-24-6): Corey Crawford's career-best season has hit a bump in the road at the moment as the potential Vezina Trophy candidate did not travel with the team due to an upper-body injury. Michael Leighton was recalled from Rockford of the American Hockey League to replace the 31-year-old Crawford, who has posted personal bests in both wins (35) and shutouts (seven). The 34-year-old Leighton has enjoyed a fine campaign in his own right, posting a 28-8-8 mark with a 2.44 goals-against average with the IceHogs.

ABOUT THE JETS (29-36-5): Michael Hutchinson has had the number of the Blackhawks in his career, including a career-high 45-save performance in Winnipeg's 3-1 triumph on Oct. 29. The 26-year-old Hutchinson boasts a 4-1-1 career mark with a slim 1.33 goals-against average versus Chicago while fellow goaltender Ondrej Pavelec has dropped all six encounters (0-4-2, 4.50 goals-against average) with the club. Winnipeg would be wise to give its anemic power play a jolt, as the club is 1-for-21 with the man advantage over the last seven games and 1-for-10 against the Blackhawks this season.

OVERTIME

1. Chicago RW Marian Hossa scored his 497th career goal in a 3-2 setback to Philadelphia on Wednesday and had goal and an assist in a 3-1 victory over Winnipeg on Dec. 6.

2. The Jets recalled F Nic Petan on an emergency basis from Manitoba of the AHL and sent D Julian Melchiori to the Moose.

3. The Blackhawks are 9-11-2 since posting a franchise-best 12-game winning streak.

PREDICTION: Blackhawks 3, Jets 1

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