National Hockey League
Preview
Winnipeg at Chicago
When: 9:00 PM ET, Wednesday, December 27, 2023
Where: United Center, Chicago, Illinois

After surging into the NHL's Christmas break with eight victories in 10 games, the Winnipeg Jets will look to keep rolling Wednesday as they visit the slumping Chicago Blackhawks.

The Jets have thrived behind unselfish play and a diverse attack, things they would like to think never take a holiday.

"What sticks out to me is just our commitment and buy-in throughout our locker room to our team game," Winnipeg defenseman Josh Morrissey said. "We've tried to pride ourselves on being a tough team to play against without the puck and a team that doesn't give up a lot out there, so I feel like we're doing a good job, we're committed to the system and we've got buy-in and contributions throughout the lineup.

"Everyone is pulling on the rope in the same direction."

Winnipeg has limited opponents to three goals or fewer in a franchise-record 22 consecutive games. That run includes a 3-1 home win against the Blackhawks on Dec. 2.

Chicago skidded into the break with six losses in seven games. The Blackhawks have been idle since Saturday's 7-5 loss in St. Louis, which saw Chicago surrender five third-period goals.

The Blackhawks bemoaned their lack of aggressiveness over the final 20 minutes, when St. Louis outshot Chicago 22-2.

"We've got to learn in those moments," Chicago defenseman Jarred Tinordi said. "We've had leaks before this year. We've kind of given them up and battled back. We've come back from down before, too, and I think (we're) learning how to play in those situations, especially on the road. I think sitting back and sitting on your heels is never the recipe to win."

Wednesday marks the Blackhawks' last game at United Center before opening a five-game road trip on Friday.

The Blackhawks have played opponents more competitively since a 7-1 loss at Seattle on Dec. 14, including a 3-2 victory against Central Division co-leader Colorado on Dec. 19.

Connor Bedard scored against the Blues and has a goal and five assists during a four-game point streak. Nick Foligno powered the Blackhawks with a pair of goals against St. Louis, while Tinordi and Taylor Raddysh both contributed three assists.

Winnipeg blitzed Atlantic Division-leading Boston 5-1 on Friday behind Nino Niederreiter's two power-play goals. Gabriel Vilardi scored for his fifth straight game. Mark Scheifele added two assists, giving him eight points over the past five games.

The Jets can secure at least a split of the four-game season series with a victory as they aim to channel their momentum anew -- as well as the even keel that has fueled it.

"Regardless of what other people think about us or measure us, we just measure ourselves against ourselves. Our standards," Winnipeg coach Rick Bowness said. "This is how we want to play. This is the Winnipeg Jets hockey team and we just measure (by) our standards to ourselves. We don't compare ourselves to anybody else or measure (against) anybody else.

"We have high standards here. We have a good hockey club. We believe in ourselves and that's all that matters."

--Field Level Media

Stats and Records
Team Comparison
  W/L Strk Home Away Day Night Div
Winnipeg 20-9-2-1 W2 11-5-2-0 9-4-0-1 4-1-0-0 16-8-2-1 8-3-0-0
Chicago 10-22-0-1 L2 6-9-0-1 4-13-0-0 2-6-0-0 8-16-0-1 2-7-0-1
Last Meeting
Winnipeg Chicago
Date Away Home Shots Saves PP Shots Saves PP
12/2/23 CHI 1 WIN 3 28 20 1-4 21 25 0-2
Player Stats
Previous Matchup
Total Points Player  
Winnipeg M. Barron 1
Chicago C. Bedard 1
Goals Player  
Winnipeg M. Barron 1
Chicago C. Bedard 1
Assists Player  
Winnipeg D. Chisholm 1
Chicago P. Kurashev 1
Saves Player  
Winnipeg C. Hellebuyck 20
Chicago A. Soderblom 25
Season
Total Points Player  
Winnipeg M. Scheifele 37
Chicago C. Bedard 35
Goals Player  
Winnipeg K. Connor 18
Chicago C. Bedard 14
Assists Player  
Winnipeg M. Scheifele 25
Chicago C. Bedard 21
Saves Player  
Winnipeg C. Hellebuyck 723
Chicago P. Mrazek 619
Quickchart Matchup
Winnipeg Off vs  Chicago Def
3.41 GF
3.7 GA
31.1 Shots
32.7 Shots
18 PP
27 PK
Chicago Off vs  Winnipeg Def
2.42 GF
2.53 GA
26.7 Shots
28.8 Shots
13 PP
24 PK