For the third time in 2017, the Chicago Blackhawks are riding a three-game win streak. They’ve won all three on the road, as they beat the Coyotes (4-3), Stars (5-3), and Wild (4-3, OT). The Blackhawks have now won 5 of their last 6 road games.
Goalie Corey Crawford hasn’t been at his best since returning from an appendectomy. His goals allowed average is at 2.9 while his save percentage is .906 over his last 16 games. But he was in sparkling form against the Wild as he made some key stops to help get the big win against the Central Division leaders.
Crawford will once again be called upon to slow down a dangerous Jets attack. Crawford is 7-7 in his career against the Jets. The Blackhawks have allowed just 2.1 goals in their last 7 games against the Jets with Crawford starting in goal.
Crawford should also expect some help from stars Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, and Artemi Panarin. Kane and Toews have a combined 4 goals and 9 points in their last three games, while Panarin has chipped in with two multi-point games.
Dating back to their time in Atlanta, the Blackhawks are 11-4 all-time against the Thrashers/Jets franchise at home, including 9-2 in their last 11 games.
The Winnipeg Jets are still struggling to make up ground in the Western Conference wild card race, in large part because of their inconsistency. Just check out how their last 11 games have gone: lost four, won two, lost two, won three, lost two.
Goalie Ondrej Pavelec has started eight of the last nine games since returning last month, but he has not been good. He’s just 4-4 with a 3.55 GAA and a .888 save percentage in the eight games he’s played. But he left their last game against the Wild with a lower body injury, and will miss around a week.
Connor Hellebuyck will return between the sticks for the Jets’ home game against the Blackhawks. Hellebuyck’s numbers this season (17-13-1, 2.78 GAA, .909 save percentage) aren’t amazing, but for some reason he’s excelled against the Blackhawks. He’s a perfect 4-0 with a .961 save percentage in the four games he’s started against Chicago this season.
Meanwhile, Winnipeg’s offense goals (2.9 goals per game, 9th in the NHL) is more than capable of scoring, and has been especially successful in recent meetings with the Blackhawks. They’re averaging 3.6 goals in their last five games against Chicago.
Writer’s Prediction
The Jets (-110) continue their recent run of dominance against the Blackhawks as they get the 4-2 home win.
