Jets at Blackhawks
The Winnipeg Jets put the wheels in motion on what became a perfect six-game homestand with a resounding 6-2 rout of the Chicago Blackhawks on March 15. The playoff-bound Jets look to turn their season-best win streak into a franchise high-tying one on Thursday as they open a four-game road trip against the Blackhawks.
Winnipeg matched a franchise record for wins in a calendar month with 10 in March courtesy of Brandon Tanev recording his first career hat trick and Patrik Laine scoring the decisive goal in the shootout in Tuesday's 5-4 victory over Boston. Going the extra mile is nothing new for the Jets, who have ventured past regulation in four straight outings to move within five points of first-place Nashville. While Winnipeg owns a stellar 32-16-4 mark versus Central Division representatives since the start of 2016-17, Chicago has won two of the three meetings between the clubs this season. Unfortunately, that's where the good news ends for the cellar-dwelling Blackhawks, who will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2007-08 and carry a 1-5-1 mark into the finale of their two-game homestand.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, TSN3 (Winnipeg), NBCS Chicago
ABOUT THE JETS (47-19-10): Captain Blake Wheeler has flourished versus Central foes, recording 34 (10 goals, 24 assists) of his career-high 86 points against division rivals. The 31-year-old is surging down the stretch as he pushed his personal-best assist total to 66 and point streak to seven games (two goals, eight assists) by setting up Joe Morrow's second-period goal versus the Bruins. "We're trying to get ready for the playoffs, trying to get our game so we're playing our best hockey at the end of the year," Wheeler said.
ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (31-36-10): Rookie Alex DeBrincat matched former Hart Trophy winner Patrick Kane with a club high-tying 26 goals and added an assist in Monday's 4-3 shootout loss versus San Jose to boost his point total to six (four goals, two assists) in his last six games. While DeBrincat has passed with flying colors, forward Dylan Sikura and defenseman Blake Hillman likely will take their first NHL tests on Thursday. Sikura recently concluded his collegiate career at Northeastern while Hillman signed with the Blackhawks after finishing up at the University of Denver.
OVERTIME
1. Laine, who will play in his 150th career game on Thursday, has been held off the scoresheet in three straight contests after erupting for 18 goals and eight assists during his 15-game point streak.
2. The Blackhawks' 28th-ranked power play is 0-for-9 versus the Jets this season.
3. Winnipeg last won seven games in a row from March 26-April 8, 2017.