”There’s not really a lot of pressure on them, that makes them a dangerous team”: Game day 41 Winnipeg Jets vs Chicago Blackhawks

The Winnipeg Jets (27-9-4) look to continue their domination as they enter this game at the top of the NHL, and they welcome the unfavorable Chicago Blackhawks (12-27-2) who are second last in the National Hockey League.

The visitors weren’t helped by the fact that superstar rookie Connor Bedard is out with a fractured jaw which will keep him out of the lineup for 6-8 weeks. Clearly tough to hear since they are already dealing with injuries to key players like Seth Jones, Taylor Hall, Tyler Johnson, Andreas Athanasiou, Anthony Beauvillier and Nick Foligno.

On the other side of things, the Jets enter this game on a seven game winning streak which is tied for a franchise record and have gotten points in 13 straight games (11-0-2). Chicago on the other hand have a 2-7-1 record in their last 10 games and have been outscored 42-22.

The expected starter for the Jets is Laurent Brossoit who last started in Anaheim against the Anaheim Ducks where he stopped 37 of 38 shots for a .974 save percentage in that 3-1 Jets victory. This season, the 30 year old has a 6-3-1 record tied 49th in the NHL, 2.30 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage.

For Chicago it has been confirmed that veteran Petr Mrazek will start between the pipes. He is recently coming off a 2-1 regulation loss to the Edmonton Oilers where he stopped 13 of 15 shots for a .867 save percentage. This season Mrazek has an inferior 10-14-1 record tied for 22nd in the NHL with a 3.21 goals-against average 41st in the NHL, and a .902 save percentage tied-32nd in the NHL.

Via Scott Billeck of the Winnipeg Sun, “It has been confirmed that Axel Jonsson-Fjällby is sick and if he is not ready to go the Jets will run 11 forwards and seven defencmen tonight.”

Chisholm – Stanley

Up next:

Puck drop this evening is at 7:00 CST. You can watch the game on TSN3 or listen in on CJOB.