Youngster sits as Blackhawks return home to face Jets

Chicago Blackhawks (27-34-9, 67 pts) vs Winnipeg Jets (31-30-12, 74 pts)
7:30 pm CT – United Center
TV: CHSN (Ball/Pang)
Radio: WGN 720 AM (Wiedeman/Konroyd)

The Chicago Blackhawks and Winnipeg Jets will wrap up their four-game season series tonight. They are looking to split even after the home team has won all three meetings. The Jets were all but written off a few weeks ago. So much so that they traded away a pair of valuable defensemen in Luke Schenn and Logan Stanley at the deadline. However, because nobody in the Western Conference wants to take hold of that final wild card spot, Winnipeg enters tonight's game only three points out of the playoffs.

If the Blackhawks are to play spoiler tonight, look for Connor Bedard to be a big part of the reason why. He’s feasted on the Jets in his career. He is riding a five-game point streak, with two goals and eight points. He has three multi-point efforts in the last four meetings. In his five games against them on home ice, he has four goals and six points, and points in three straight games.

Speaking of streaking, the Jets have five players with multi-game point streaks. Kyle Connor, Josh Morrissey, Cole Perfetti, and Gabriel Vilardi each hold a four-game point streak, while Mark Scheifele has points in his last three outings.

Passing the Torch

Tonight could be Jonathan Toews’ final game ever at the United Center. This will be his 538th game at the Madhouse. He’s scored 202 goals and 468 points, all with the Blackhawks. He was held off the scoresheet in his only game as a visitor, back in January.

While there has been no official word on whether this is Toews’ final season, it certainly has to be on his mind. His comeback to play in the NHL is nothing short of incredible, but this season for both him and the Jets has not gone as planned. I guess we can treat a Toews game in Chicago like every Rolling Stones concert for the past 25 years; you have to get a ticket because you never know if it’s the last one.

It’s rather fitting that Toews’ possible last game in Chicago is on the same night as Anton Frondell’s first. He is seen as a big part of the group that returns this franchise to the glory it had under Toews as its captain. Hopefully, you didn’t already order a No. 15 Frondell jersey, because he has already switched to No. 16. One has to think this is an ode to his former teammate and mentor in Sweden, Marcus Kruger.

Sacha Sits

Tonight was also supposed to be the United Center debut for Sacha Boisvert. However, the 2024 first-round pick did not take line rushes at morning skate. Sam Lafferty was in his spot on the fourth line.

I get being tougher on the young guys, as you want to show them what the high expectations are for playing at the NHL level. But to scratch a kid just three games into his NHL career so Lafferty can see more game action is puzzling. Where is this accountability for veterans like Andre Burakovsky and Teuvo Teravainen, who have struggled mightily down the stretch? We know Lafferty has been a good soldier this season, and his teammates love him. But these last eight games must be about the big picture, and he’s not a part of that.

Boisvert has no points, two shots on, nine penalty minutes, and is a minus-2 through his first three NHL games. Head coach Jeff Blashill said it will be good for him to sit and watch now that he’s experienced it on the ice. Sure, but doing it in what should be his first NHL home game is a bit strange.

Injury Updates

Blashill gave some updates on his injured players. Defensemen Matt Grzelcyk and Artyom Levshunov are not expected back for the rest of the season.

“For different reasons, it sucks,” he said. “Griz has been awesome. He’s an unbelievable teammate. He’s an unbelievable leader, in a quiet way. With Arty, it takes away some opportunities for his growth.”

This gives Ethan Del Mastro and Kevin Korchinski the knowledge that they have spots in the lineup for the last seven games. They need to make the most of this opportunity to help their chances of making the opening night roster next season.

Blashill added that Andrew Mangiapane will likely return at some point during the upcoming three-game road trip. That trip starts against the Edmonton Oilers, the team that traded him to Chicago at the deadline.

Season Series

10/30 @ WPG, 3-6 L
1/19 vs WPG, 2-0 W
3/3 @ WPG, 2-3 L (OT)
3/31 vs WPG

Blackhawks Team Leaders

G-Connor Bedard (30)
A-Bedard (38)
P-Bedard (68)
PPG-Tyler Bertuzzi (11)
GWG-Bedard (5)
SOG-Bedard (205)
PIM-Louis Crevier (59)

Jets Team Leaders

G-Mark Scheifele (34)
A-Scheifele (55)
P-Scheifele (89)
PPG-Gabe Vilardi (11)
GWG-Scheifele (6)
SOG-Kyle Connor (237)
PIM-Dylan DeMelo (36)

Blackhawks Team Stats

GF/G-2.55 (30th)
GA/G-3.23 (25th)
PP%-17.8 (25th)
PK%-84.2 (1st)
SOG/G-24.6 (32nd)
SA/G-30.4 (31st)
FO%-46.2 (31st)
PIM/G-9:12 (19th)

Jets Team Stats

GF/G-2.84 (24th)
GA/G-3.03 (14th)
PP%-17.2 (28h)
PK%-78.3 (21st)
SOG/G-26.3 (24th)
SA/G-28.0 (17th)
FO%-50.8 (13th)
PIM/G-7:55 (9th)

Blackhawks Probable Lines

Forwards

Ryan Greene-Connor Bedard-Nick Lardis
Tyler Bertuzzi-Anton Frondell-Ilya Mikheyev
Ryan Donato-Frank Nazar-Andre Burakovsky
Teuvo Teravainen-Sam Lafferty-Landon Slaggert

Defensemen

Alex Vlasic-Louis Crevier
Wyatt Kaiser-Sam Rinzel
Kevin Korchinski-Ethan Del Mastro

Scratched

F-Sacha Boisvvert, F-Dominic Toninato

Injured

F-Oliver Moore (lower body), F-Andre Mangiapane (lower body), D-Matt Grzelcyk (upper body), D-Artyom Levshunov (hand)

Jets Probable Lines

Forwards

Kyle Connor-Mark Scheifele-Alex Iafallo
Cole Perfetti-Adam Lowry-Gabe Vilardi
Cole Koepke-Jonathan Toews-Brad Lambert
Isak Rosen-Danny Zhilkin-Parker Ford