Winnipeg @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 19, 2019 ) Chicago 4, Winnipeg 1

The Winnipeg Jets look to turn things around after dropping three of four as they begin a three-game road trip leading into the All-Star break Sunday night against the surging Chicago Blackhawks and Patrick Kane, who is one point from 1,000 in his career. The Jets, who also visit Carolina (Tuesday) and Columbus (Wednesday) on the important trip, lost the first two games during their slump by a goal before getting routed by red-hot Tampa Bay 7-1 on Friday.

“It could be just losing sight of some of those little details, but I feel like the mindset’s right,” Winnipeg captain Blake Wheeler told reporters of his team’s play of late. “It feels like the effort’s there, it feels like the mentality’s there, it feels like we’re connected on the ice. But with all that being said, at the end of the day, 7-1 at home, that’s not going to get the job done. There’s definitely some things to figure out.” The Jets had won six straight in the series before dropping a 4-1 decision on Dec. 19 against the Blackhawks, who have won four in a row and 11 of 16 to climb back into the playoff chase in the Western Conference. Chicago moved within two points of Winnipeg, which sits just outside playoff position, after rolling to a 6-2 victory at Toronto on Saturday as rookie Dominik Kubalik continued his hot streak with a pair of goals to reach 20. Kane, a former Hart Trophy winner, had an assist in the victory to move within one point of joining Hall of Famers Stan Mikita, Bobby Hull and Denis Savard as the only Blackhawks with at least 1,000 while captain Jonathan Toews is two shy of 800 after scoring twice and setting up two others Saturday.

TIME: 7 p.m. ET. TV: NHL Network, NBCS Chicago, Sportsnet

ABOUT THE JETS (25-19-4): Coach Paul Maurice shuffled his lines a bit at practice Saturday, putting points leader Mark Scheifele (22 goals, 52 points) between Andrew Copp and Nikolaj Ehlers while Wheeler skated with wingers Kyle Connor (team-high 24 goals) and Patrik Laine. “I don’t think we’ve loved our offensive game here for a little bit - and our defensive game, clearly,” Maurice told NHL.com. “I don’t want to leave it too long. Just sometimes it’s a change and a spark there to get guys going.” Connor has six of his 47 points in the last five games, Wheeler added seven of his 41 over the past seven contests and goalie Connor Hellebuyck is 9-5-0 lifetime versus Chicago.

ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (23-20-6): Kane boasts four goals and 10 assists during his current nine-game point streak to lead the team with 61 points (24 goals). Toews has also been sizzling with four of his 14 goals and eight assists during his five-game point streak while the 24-year-old Kubalik, a 2013 seventh-round pick of Los Angeles who was acquired last year by Chicago, has scored nine times and set up four others in eight January games. Corey Crawford made 31 saves for the victory Saturday and Robin Lehner (14-7-4, .2.85 goals-against average, 923 save percentage), who is 5-1-0 in his last six starts, is likely to get the call against the Jets.

OVERTIME

1. Blackhawks LW Brandon Saad recorded a goal Saturday after missing the previous 12 games with an ankle injury.

2. Winnipeg F Jack Roslovic has scored in consecutive games to tie his career high of nine goals, set last season.

3. Chicago D Slater Koekkoek registered an assist in each of the last three games and is a plus-7 over his past four.

PREDICTION: Blackhawks 4, Jets 3