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 [December 27, 2023]
After surging into the NHL's Christmas break with eight
victories in 10 games, the Winnipeg Jets will look to keep rolling
Wednesday as they visit the slumping Chicago Blackhawks.
The Jets have thrived behind unselfish play and a diverse attack,
things they would like to think never take a holiday.
"What sticks out to me is just our commitment and buy-in throughout
our locker room to our team game," Winnipeg defenseman Josh
Morrissey said. "We've tried to pride ourselves on being a tough
team to play against without the puck and a team that doesn't give
up a lot out there, so I feel like we're doing a good job, we're
committed to the system and we've got buy-in and contributions
throughout the lineup.
"Everyone is pulling on the rope in the same direction."
Winnipeg has limited opponents to three goals or fewer in a
franchise-record 22 consecutive games. That run includes a 3-1 home
win against the Blackhawks on Dec. 2.
Chicago skidded into the break with six losses in seven games. The
Blackhawks have been idle since Saturday's 7-5 loss in St. Louis,
which saw Chicago surrender five third-period goals.
The Blackhawks bemoaned their lack of aggressiveness over the final
20 minutes, when St. Louis outshot Chicago 22-2.
"We've got to learn in those moments," Chicago defenseman Jarred
Tinordi said. "We've had leaks before this year. We've kind of given
them up and battled back. We've come back from down before, too, and
I think (we're) learning how to play in those situations, especially
on the road. I think sitting back and sitting on your heels is never
the recipe to win."
Wednesday marks the Blackhawks' last game at United Center before
opening a five-game road trip on Friday.
The Blackhawks have played opponents more competitively since a 7-1
loss at Seattle on Dec. 14, including a 3-2 victory against Central
Division co-leader Colorado on Dec. 19.
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Connor Bedard scored against the Blues and has a
goal and five assists during a four-game point streak. Nick Foligno
powered the Blackhawks with a pair of goals against St. Louis, while
Tinordi and Taylor Raddysh both contributed three assists.
Winnipeg blitzed Atlantic Division-leading Boston 5-1 on Friday
behind Nino Niederreiter's two power-play goals. Gabriel Vilardi
scored for his fifth straight game. Mark Scheifele added two
assists, giving him eight points over the past five games.
The Jets can secure at least a split of the four-game season series
with a victory as they aim to channel their momentum anew -- as well
as the even keel that has fueled it.
"Regardless of what other people think about us or measure us, we
just measure ourselves against ourselves. Our standards," Winnipeg
coach Rick Bowness said. "This is how we want to play. This is the
Winnipeg Jets hockey team and we just measure (by) our standards to
ourselves. We don't compare ourselves to anybody else or measure
(against) anybody else.
"We have high standards here. We have a good hockey club. We believe
in ourselves and that's all that matters."
--Field Level Media
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