Blackhawks Gameday #34: Cooling the Jets?

The Chicago Blackhawks (10-22-1) will take on the Winnipeg Jets tonight (20-9-3) in the last game before they head off onto the road. Puck drop is a bit later–set for 8pm tonight.

Previously on Blackhawks Hockey:

Do you really want to go through it again? It’s been four days since the Blackhawks held a 5-2 lead and then collapsed, surrendering five goals to the St. Louis Blues before losing 7-5. Connor Bedard did notch the Michigan, which was then matched by Trevor Zegras later that night.

And now, a bit (more) on the Jets

Winnipeg bested the Blackhawks 3-1 the last time they met, and have been on a tear since then. The win over Chicago spurred the Jets onto an 8-2 run, including a winning streak of four games. The third best scoring team in the league, the Blackhawks will at least get some help back tonight in the way of Alex Vlasic and Tyler Johnson being available.

How to Watch and Listen

TV: NBC Sports Chicago
Radio: WGN 720

Miscellaneous Musings and Final Verdict

It’s been four days since they’ve last played and everything seemed fine until the Blues came roaring back. Adding Vlasic and Johnson back into the lineup should help matters, but which Blackhawks team will we see tonight?

Much has been written about the need to play sixty minutes and it’s likely to keep being a statement as the season rolls on. 34 games in, it feels like the lionshare of losses include this statement in some way, but as the season continues, the gap between contenders, pretenders, and basement dwellers widens because the stakes only get higher.

Again, no one is expecting the Blackhawks to make the playoffs and there’s certainly something to be said, especially after watching Mack Celebrini put up five points today in the World Juniors, that another stroke of luck in the lottery will set Chicago up for better returns in the long run.

The vast majority of Blackhawks fans know the long game is the preferred one here, but it’s also fair to be frustrated with the results and sometimes, how it all plays out.

Tonight will be another way to see how things shake out. The trend has been either upsetting the team, hanging with them before losing late, or surrendering a lead with multiple goals in a short time span. Blowouts, believe it or not, have not been nearly as prevalent.

Let’s see what tonight brings.

Stats and Stuff

Team Goals, Assists, and Points Leader: Connor Bedard (13-17-30)
Blackhawks in their last ten games: 3-6-1