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Preview: Jets at Blackhawks
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 [January 26, 2017]
The Chicago Blackhawks are among
the most successful teams in the NHL this season, but 20 percent of
their regulation losses came against the struggling Winnipeg Jets.
The Blackhawks try again Thursday at home against a Winnipeg team
that has allowed only two goals in three victories over Chicago, and
the Jets can use a victory entering the All-Star break after
back-to-back home defeats.
Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck backstopped those three wins but sat
out the past four games in favor of veteran Ondrej Pavelec, who has
not settled the Jets’ shaky situation in goal. The Blackhawks
squandered a three-goal lead Tuesday in a 5-2 home loss to Tampa
Bay, allowing four goals in the final period. Center Jonathan Toews
followed up a four-point performance in Sunday’s victory over
Vancouver with a goal and an assist Tuesday. The Blackhawks are two
points behind Minnesota for the Central Division lead.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, TSN3 (Winnipeg), CSN Chicago
ABOUT THE JETS (22-25-4): Rookie forward Patrik Laine returned from
a concussion Tuesday, recording an assist in 21:52 of ice time.
Center Mark Scheifele (46 points) was tied for eighth in the league
in points through Tuesday's games, while forward Nikolaj Ehlers (43
points) was tied for 14th. Pavelec allowed 13 goals in four games,
seven in consecutive losses to Anaheim and San Jose.
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ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (30-15-5): Forwards Patrick Kane (48 points)
and Artemi Panarin (44 points) ranked fifth and 13th in scoring.
Defenseman Duncan Keith snapped a five-game pointless streak with
Chicago’s second goal Tuesday. Scott Darling, who allowed one goal
or fewer in seven of his last 11 starts, gets the call after Corey
Crawford started the past two games.
OVERTIME
1. Winnipeg placed F Mathieu Perreault (upper-body injury) on
injured reserve Wednesday, calling up D Brian Strait from Manitoba
of the AHL.
2. Chicago C Marcus Kruger, out since Dec. 30 with a hand injury, is
expected to play Thursday.
3. The Jets were 27th in the NHL on the penalty kill (76.8 percent),
while the Blackhawks were 28th (75.8 percent).
PREDICTION: Blackhawks 4, Jets 2
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