Chicago Blackhawks vs Winnipeg Jets Preview & Game Thread

Winnipeg Jets (47-19-10) at Chicago Blackhawks (31-36-10)

7:30PM Central

RADIO/TV: WGN 720/NBCS CH

PROJECTED GOALIES:

Winnipeg:

Eric Comrie (1-1-0, 2.98 GAA, .885 SV%)

Chicago:

Anton Forsberg (10-16-4, 2.97 GAA, .908 SV%)

PROJECTED LINES/PAIRINGS:

Winnipeg:

Connor-Scheifele-Wheeler

Ehlers-Stastny-Laine

Perreault-Copp-Little

Tanev-Lowry-Armia

Morrissey- Myers

Enstrom-Byfuglien

Chiarot-Morrow

Chicago:

Saad-Schmaltz-Kane

Sikura-Ejdsell-Debrincat

Jurco-Anisimov-Martinsen

Sharp-Kampf-HInostroza

Keith-Seabrook

Gustafsson-Murphy

Oesterle-Rutta

STATISTICAL COMPARISIONS:

Power Play:

Winnipeg 23.3% (4^th)

Chicago 16% (28th)

Penalty Kill:

Winnipeg 82% (10^th)

Chicago 79.9% (19th)

Corsi FOR % (5-on-5):

Winnipeg 51.7% (7^th)

Chicago 52.8% (4th)

Faceoffs:

Winnipeg 52.3% (5^th)

Chicago 49.7% (17th)

SUMMARY:

The 2018-19 Chicago Blackhawk auditions continue tonight versus a team that’s gone from the league’s also-rans to one of its best seemingly overnight. Not really, but the Jets are proof of how high draft picks—and hitting on high picks—will ultimately pay off.

As a result, for the Jets, tonight’s game is about honing their game for the postseason. For the Hawks, it’s about how high their probability will be in the draft lottery—and taking stock of several rookies: Viktor Ejdsell, Collin Delia, Blake Hillman and Dylan Sikura.

None of these players, including the much-hyped Sikura, is what you’d call an elite prospect—like a Patrik Laine or a Nikolaj Ehlers. But clearly, the Hawks are trying to sort through what they have to work with in rounding out their roster next season.

We’ll recap tonight or tomorrow AM. Join the conversation below!

This topic has 8 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 5 years, 5 months ago by Mewirtz.

Viewing 9 posts - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)

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March 29, 2018 at 7:12 am #6347

John Jaeckel
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Winnipeg Jets (47-19-10) at Chicago Blackhawks (31-36-10) 7:30PM Central RADIO/TV: WGN 720/NBCS CH PROJECTED GOALIES: Winnipeg: Eric Comrie (1-1-0, 2
[To continue reading full article, click here: Preview & Game Thread: Jets at Blackhawks]

March 29, 2018 at 10:34 am #6349

hawkeytalk
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No matter what people say these remaining games matter to the organization in a significant way, and they mean a lot to me as a fan. Excited to see what the fresh blood will bring to the table! I have a good gut feeling about Eggshell once he adjusts to the smaller ice rink, the speed of the NHL, and the responsibilities of playing D as a forward in this league. The tools are there, and he was already starting to adjust period-to-period last game.

March 29, 2018 at 11:09 am #6350

Breadbag
Participant

hawkeytalk wrote:

No matter what people say these remaining games matter to the organization in a significant way, and they mean a lot to me as a fan. Excited to see what the fresh blood will bring to the table! I have a good gut feeling about Eggshell once he adjusts to the smaller ice rink, the speed of the NHL, and the responsibilities of playing D as a forward in this league. The tools are there, and he was already starting to adjust period-to-period last game.

Quote

I’d just add that I hope some of these young guys take these games to heart, much like Hayden did last year. I think after getting a taste of the NHL late last year, he pushed hard to be physically prepared to earn a spot in camp. The young blood on this team gives some reason for optimism.

March 29, 2018 at 11:44 am #6351

6628
Participant

The young blood on this team gives some reason for optimism.

It’s why I like watching the pre-season so much. JJ did a blog about the start of hockey season years ago and I consider it a classic. And I agree with him that none of these prospects are elite. If the assistant coaches and the Rockford coach can be as effective as guys like Yawney and Haviland that would be great. I’m not sure how many guys viewed Keith as elite before Yawney had him in Norfolk.

March 29, 2018 at 12:35 pm #6352

Under Qs moustache
Participant

Every organization hopes for gold in the later rounds where the odds of the player making it to the NHL are slim. Datyzuk comes to mind as a 6th rounder, as does Buff.

We’d be in the playoffs if Buff was on the team. Nobody had an answer for him in 2010, yet StanBo didn’t know what he had. I know the Hawks won 2 more cups after they traded Buff, but I wonder out loud if another cup in either 2011, 2012, or 2014 wasn’t possible if Buff wasn’t traded. The Hawks would also have 2 2nd rounders from the 2015 and 2016 drafts that they gave to Philly for Timmonen, who was more of a liability than an asset in 2015. They won in spite of Rundblad and Timo.

March 29, 2018 at 1:07 pm #6353

6628
Participant

They won in spite of Rundblad and Timo.

That they did.

March 29, 2018 at 1:29 pm #6354

hawkeytalk
Participant

So true. Buff to me is the one that got away… And the most recent deadlines (Kimo, Weiss/Fleischmann, even the Ladd deal IMO) were overpays for one reason or another that have hurt this team more than meets the eye.

March 29, 2018 at 4:08 pm #6361

Hank_Greenberg
Participant

hawkeytalk wrote:

So true. Buff to me is the one that got away… And the most recent deadlines (Kimo, Weiss/Fleischmann, even the Ladd deal IMO) were overpays for one reason or another that have hurt this team more than meets the eye.

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I like Buff, but Leddy and Ladd were the ones that I think they missed the most, IMO.

March 29, 2018 at 9:14 pm #6365

Mewirtz
Participant

My son just asked “Was Nikolas Lidstrom the best defenceman ever?“
Im old, maybe not THAT old. I told him,” best I’ve ever seen was Bobby Orr”
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