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
