Winnipeg Jets (9-8-3) at Chicago Blackhawks (5-13-1)
Venue: United Center
Date: Today – Saturday, November 14
Time: 3:30 pm EST
How To Watch: Sportsnet
Radio: 680 CJOB

Purchase tickets via Ticketmaster

Winnipeg Jets News & Notes:

The Winnipeg Jets enter their Saturday afternoon matchup against the Chicago Blackhawks riding a five-game winning streak after Thursday’s explosive 8-3 road victory over the Dallas Stars.

Center Mark Scheifele leads the surge after recording two goals and an assist in Dallas to reach 929 career points, tying Dale Hawerchuk for the all-time Jets/Thrashers franchise scoring record. Trade acquisition Dawson Mercer has also found his scoring touch with back-to-back two-goal games, helping Winnipeg outscore opponents 25-14 during their recent turnaround.

On the injury front, defenseman Dylan DeMelo was placed on injured reserve and listed as week-to-week with a lower-body injury suffered against the Stars, prompting the club to recall Henry Thrun from the Manitoba Moose. Forward Nino Niederreiter is projected to draw back into the lineup against Chicago to replace Isak Rosén, who got banged up during Thursday’s win. Puck drop at the United Center is scheduled on Sportsnet as Winnipeg looks to avenge an early-season overtime loss to the Blackhawks.

Chicago Blackhawks News & Notes:

Center Frank Nazar powered the comeback against Buffalo with two goals, including a power-play marker that extended Chicago’s unbeaten streak in regulation (5-0-1) whenever they score with the man advantage.

Rookie winger Roman Kantserov also recorded an assist to push his point streak to nine games, becoming just the fourth rookie in franchise history to achieve a run of that length alongside Steve Larmer, Jonathan Toews, and Jeremy Roenick. Veteran winger Patrick Kane successfully returned to the lineup against the Sabres after missing three games with an upper-body injury, logging nearly 18 minutes of ice time and voicing strong support for head coach Jeff Blashill.

On the blue line, defenseman Bowen Byram skated in a non-contact jersey during Friday’s optional practice as he prepares to miss his 13th consecutive game with an upper-body injury. Meanwhile, forward Teuvo Teräväinen is projected to be a healthy scratch against Winnipeg as Chicago aims for its second straight win over the Jets this season.

Winnipeg Jets Projected Lines

Connor – Scheifele – Vilardi
Perfetti – Yager – Mercer
Iafallo – Lowry – Bjorck
Koepke – Barron – Niederreiter

Morrissey – Ferraro
Samberg – Pionk
Fleury – Bauer

Stevenson
Daws

Chicago Blackhawks Projected Lines

Kantserov – Bedard – Bertuzzi
Mangiapane – Frondell – Donato
Moore – Nazar – Kane
Smith – Greene – Greenway

Cole – Levshunov
Vlasic – Rinzel
Kaiser – Del Mastro

Knight
Commesso

Players To Watch:

Winnipeg Jets

Mark Scheifele: Scheifele enters Saturday with 929 career points, needing just one point to break his tie with Dale Hawerchuk for the all-time Jets franchise scoring record. He is riding a hot stretch with four goals and four assists over his last four games.

Dawson Mercer: Acquired from New Jersey in late October, Mercer has quickly found his groove in Winnipeg’s top six with back-to-back two-goal games. He has tallied five goals and an assist over his past four games.

Chicago Blackhawks

Roman Kantserov: The 22-year-old rookie is riding a nine-game point streak and can tie Steve Larmer and Jonathan Toews for the longest rookie point streak in Blackhawks history (10 games) with a point against Winnipeg. He leads Chicago with nine goals through 19 games.

Frank Nazar: Nazar powered Chicago’s slump-busting win over Buffalo on Thursday with two goals, giving him four goals over his last five games. He also scored against the Jets in their first meeting back in October.

Next game

Winnipeg Jets – December 5 vs Buffalo Sabres
Chicago Blackhawks – December 6 vs Toronto Maple Leafs