Chicago Blackhawks vs. Winnipeg Jets Prediction, NHL Odds
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David Bastl
After starting off the season slow on home ice the Jets have rebounded as of late. They now sit with a 10-6-1 record through 17 games, and have the identical record on home ice as they do away.
Blackhawks vs. Jets Betting Analysis
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. Back on October 12, the Jets scored a 3-2 overtime win in Chicago. Mark Scheifele scored the overtime winner.
The Blackhawks are 0-4 in their last four trips to Winnipeg, and 0-6 in their last six games against them overall.
The over is 4-1-1 in the last six games played in Winnipeg, and also 4-1 to the over in their last five meetings overall.
The Jets are 5-0 in their last five home games as the favourite.
Chicago Blackhawks
This will be the second game of a back-to-back for the Blackhawks. Wednesday night in Colorado, they dropped a 4-1 decision to the Avalanche.
Wednesday also saw the return of Duncan Keith to the lineup. It was first game since sustaining a groin injury on November 29. The two-time Norris Trophy winning defenceman has one goal and five assists this season while averaging just under 24 minutes of ice time. For the third time this season veteran Brent Seabrook was a healthy scratch.
Corey Crawford got the start in Colorado, stopping 32 of 35 shots he faced, including a Nathan MacKinnon breakaway.
Robin Lehner is expected to get the call against the Jets. He has split duties with Crawford this season, and has put up better numbers through nearly half of the year. Lehner has a goals against of 2.87 and a save percentage of .924. He was the goaltender of record earlier in the season when the Hawks fell to the Jets.
Alex Nylander is likely to be skating on the second line with Dylan Strome and Patrick Kane, while Kirby Dach will be centering Alex DeBrincat and Ryan Carpenter on the third line.
With 32 points the Blackhawks are currently tied for last place in the Western conference.
Winnipeg Jets
The Jets couldn’t weather the storm of the Hurricanes, as they dropped a 6-3 decision to Carolina on Tuesday evening. It was the team’s first loss on home ice since November 12 – five games ago.
Connor Hellebuyck was chased from the net after allowing five goals against on 18 shots. He was replaced by Laurent Brossoit, who is the likely starter against the Hawks.
Mark Scheifele scored his team-leading 16th goal on the power play in the third period, extending his point streak to seven games.
Forward Andrew Copp left Tuesday’s game in the second period with a lower-body injury. His status is unknown for this game against the Hawks. He joins Mathieu Perreault on the sidelines with a suspected concussion.
CHI
WIN