Pre-game report: Winnipeg Jets @ Chicago Blackhawks game day 80

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Recent off an enormous 4-0 win in Dallas on Thursday, the Jets are in Chicago tonight for his or her last highway sport of the 2024-25 common season. Now up by 6 factors on the Stars within the Central Division, the Jets have the prospect with a win over the Blackhawks tonight to clinch 1st place in each the Central Division and within the Western Convention. The Blackhawks are taking part in their last residence sport of the common season, in order that they’ll be seeking to give their followers a win on their “fan appreciation” evening. The Jets will even be seeking to sweep the season sequence towards the Blackhawks, profitable the earlier matchups this season 2-1 and 4-2.

Jets followers will likely be completely satisfied to be taught that the Washington Capitals misplaced 7-0 earlier as we speak, which means the Jets stay 3 factors forward of them on the prime of the NHL league standings. Whereas the President’s Trophy can be a pleasant bonus to recollect this nice season, the Jets are solely centered on profitable tonight, which might clinch them residence ice benefit all through all the playoffs within the Western Convention. The Blackhawks have much less on the road tonight, as they’re confirmed to complete 2nd final within the league until the Sharks win their remaining 3 video games. It’s been a troublesome season for the rebuilding Blackhawks, however the gamers will proceed to play competitively as some will likely be combating for roster spots subsequent season.

Whereas this may increasingly seem to be an “straightforward win” on paper for the Jets, they’ll nonetheless must play a full 60 minutes so as to get the job completed tonight in Chicago. The Jets have a 9-0-1 document of their final 10 matchups towards the Blackhawks, with most of those video games being comparatively low scoring. The final time these two groups met was again in December in Chicago, when the Jets gained 4-2. The Blackhawks roster appears to be like a good bit completely different then it did again then, so the Jets could must make some slight changes so as to proceed their success towards this Central Division group.

The anticipated beginning goalies for tonight’s sport are Connor Hellebuyck and Spencer Knight. Hellebuyck is as much as 45 wins on the season now, setting a Jets franchise document. Whereas the likelihood is there for Hellebuyck to doubtlessly tie the NHL document of 48 wins in a season, the Jets will prioritize him being prepared for the playoffs, which means this can be his final (or 2nd final) begin of the common season. With a back-to-back arising, the Jets will very doubtless begin Eric Comrie towards the Oilers tomorrow. Knight will get the beginning for Chicago, and he’s performed fairly nicely for them since being acquired from the Panthers. Knight holds a 16-16-2 document with a 2.69 GAA and a .900 SV% with 2 shutouts.

By way of the Jets lineup tonight, they’ll be going with the identical pairings as they did in Dallas on Thursday. Gabriel Vilardi stays the one Jets common out with an damage, because the group continues to tremendous tune what the lineup will appear like on sport 1 of the playoffs. Tonight’s sport will likely be an opportunity for the Jets to point out they’re absolutely prepared for the playoffs, as they head residence for his or her last 2 video games of the common season after tonight’s sport. Puck drop will likely be barely after 6 pm CT at United Heart, and test again right here at Jets Nation following the sport for a recap on tonight’s Saturday evening hockey motion.

Jets Projected Lineup

Connor – Scheifele – Iafallo

Ehlers – Namestnikov – Perfetti

Niederreiter – Lowry – Appleton

Tanev – Barron – Anderson-Dolan

Morrissey – DeMelo

Samberg – Pionk

Stanley – Schenn

Hellebuyck

Comrie

PRESENTED BY PRAIRIE TOYOTA DEALERS 

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