Oh my, how the tables have turned. Once considered the team to beat, the Blackhawks have been struggling this season. Meanwhile, the Winnipeg Jets have soared to the top of the Central Division. Can the Winnipeg Jets show they are not pretenders to the throne and annihilate the Blackhawks, or will the sleeping giant awaken an put the young upstart Jets in their place?
This is the second of four meetings between the two central division rivals. The meeting takes place in Chicago and is the first half of a back-to-back for the Winnipeg Jets.
When Last they Met
Often games between these two Central Division rivals are tight scoring, however, not so with their last game. The Blackhawks dismantled the Winnipeg Jets to the tune of 5-1. Crawford had a strong outing, surrendering the lone Jets goal in the third when Ehlers scored a power play goal.
Recently for the Jets
The Winnipeg Jets are currently on a three-game win streak, beating the Buffalo Sabres twice and the San Jose Sharks. Even with Scheifele out it’s good to see the Jets have not lost their scoring punch, as they have averaged 5 goals per game over the past three games.
Recently for the Blackhawks
The Blackhawks have been treading water, going 4-5-1 over the past 10 games. They had strong showing against the Oilers (4-1) and the Senators (8-2) followed by a tough overtime loss to the Minnesota Wild (2-1). The loss to the Wild had to hurt given they are the team the Blackhawks are chasing for the final wild card spot.
Recently the Blackhawks made a trade, receiving Duclair from the Arizona Coyotes. Duclair should slot into the Blackhawks line-up tonight.
The Numbers
The following is a breakdown of the Jets and Blackhawks:
| Jets | Blackhawks | |
| Goals per Game | 3rd at 3.41 GPG | 8th at 3.12 GPG |
| Goals Against | 13th at 2.73 GAA | 11th at 2.72 GAA |
| Power Play % | 2nd at 25.6% | 25th at 16% |
| Penalty Kill % | 16th at 81.2% | 10th at 82.4% |
Prediction
Even with the phenomenal season the Winnipeg Jets are having, they remain in the shadow of the Blackhawks. A win tonight would go a long way to showing the Jets are on track to replacing the Blackhawks as kings of the central.
Next: Despite Poor Play, Steve Mason Takes Too Much Blame
The Blackhawks defense shutdown the Jets once this year, so I am giving this one to the Blackhawks. Prediction 3-1 for the Blackhawks.