Preview/Game Thread: Blackhawks vs Jets

  

Winnipeg Jets (45–29–4) vs. Chicago Blackhawks (34–33–11)

7:30 p.m. CST

STAPLES Center

TV/Radio: WGN

PROJECTED STARTERS

ChicagoCorey 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 SaadJonathan ToewsDylan Sikura

Alex DeBrincatDylan StromeDominik Kahun

Drake CaggiulaArtem AnisimovPatrick Kane

Chris KunitzDavid KampfMarcus Kruger

Duncan KeithErik Gustafsson

Gustav ForslingBrent Seabrook

Slater KoekkoekConnor Murphy

Winnipeg Jets

Nikolaj EhlersMark ScheifeleBlake Wheeler

Kyle ConnorKevin HayesPatrik Laine

Brandon TanevAdam LowryBryan Little

Matt HendricksAndrew CoppMathieu Perreault

Nathan BeaulieuJacob Trouba

Dmitry KulikovTyler Myers

Ben ChiarotSami 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.

Comment below in our live game thread tonight!

And look for the internet’s most robust recap of the game tomorrow morning on the-rink.com.

Leave a Reply