The Winnipeg Jets entre tonight's game less than 24 after a crap fest in Dallas. The Jets did walk away from the game with a win, but this was entirely due to a stand out performance by Ondrej Pavelec. This game completes a stretch of 5 games in seven nights for Winnipeg. Chicago is well rested, having been of since Sunday.
Tonight's game can be seen on TSN and heard on TSN 1290. Puck drop is at 7:30 CST
Keys to the Game
Winnipeg Jets
Tired wings. The Winnipeg Jets are at the end of a grueling stretch of hockey that's seen them fly from Winnipeg to Phoenix, to California, to Winnipeg, to Dallas, to Chicago in a few short days. They are likely beat and they looked beat in the final 40 minutes of last night's game. Hopefully the team can find some gas. If not, this game will be about survival.
Hutchindad. Michael Hutchinson has played two games in Chicago and he has dominated. The Jets will need another strong game from the youngster. That said, one has to wonder if the Jets are riding a sustainable wave of Hutch, or simply tempting fate. Hutch won't dominate the best team in hockey forever, but the Jets need one more strong showing.
Math-pew-pew-pew Perreault. The Jets may struggle defensively, but that doesn't mean they won't or can't score. They currently have a number of hot hands with Mathieu Perreault and Evander Kane (among others) surging and they will need continued success from these fellas.
Chicago Blackhawks
Draw a PIM. The Jets take a load of penalties, but they played a clean game in their 5-1 shellacking of the Hawks before Christmas. Since then, the Jets have been racking up PIMs at a ridiculous rate – including 7 minor penalties last night. The Hawks need to pressure the Jets into some PIMs.
Third the turd. The Jets third defensive pair, comprised of Mark Stuart and Jay Harrison, has mustered a Corsi for percentage of 31.4% since being assembled. That isn't good and it is something that a deep team should be able to take advantage of.
Push the pace. The Jets should be tired. Chicago should be fresh so they'd be wise to push the pace and make em work.
Player to Boo Mercilessly
Daniel Carcillo got ragdolled in the last Jets, Hawks matchup. That isn't near enough humiliation though. Boo that man.
Prediction
Jets 3
Hawks 2
