The Winnipeg Jets (19-22-6) face the Chicago Blackhawks (19-22-7) in a Central Division matchup between two teams mired in the bottom half of the standings. The Jets, eighth in the Central, have alternated wins and losses lately but rank among the league’s best in shots per game (32.8), led by Mark Scheifele’s scoring. The Blackhawks, seventh in the Central, are on a three-game losing streak and struggle defensively (3.15 goals against per game, 20th in NHL), but Connor Bedard’s emergence provides hope. Injuries hit both sides hard, with Jets missing three defensemen and Blackhawks without key forwards. Expect a gritty, low-scoring affair at United Center, where Chicago’s home ice could help them snap the skid in a projected 3-2 win.
Venue Location
United Center, Chicago, Illinois. This 19,727-seat arena, home to the Blackhawks since 1994, is known for its passionate fans and has been a tough venue this season, with Chicago posting a 10-12-4 record there.
Puckdrop is scheduled 8:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. CT, 5:30 p.m. PT). The game will be broadcast on ESPN+, with local feeds on CHSN (Blackhawks market) and TSN3 (Jets market). Radio coverage is available on WGN 720 AM (Blackhawks) and CJOB 680 AM (Jets).
Recent Team Forms
The Jets have been middling, going 4-5-1 in their last 10 with a -1 goal differential, showing flashes of offense but defensive lapses. The Blackhawks are 5-4-1 in their last 10 with a -4 goal differential, on a three-game skid but with strong performances in close games.
Here’s a breakdown of each team’s last 10 games:
| Date | Opponent | Result (Jets) | Score |
| Jan 17 | vs TOR | L (OT) | 4-5 |
| Jan 15 | @ MIN | W | 6-2 |
| Jan 13 | vs NYI | W | 4-3 |
| Jan 11 | vs NJD | W | 4-3 |
| Jan 10 | vs LAK | W | 5-1 |
| Jan 8 | vs EDM | L | 3-4 |
| Jan 6 | @ VGK | L (OT) | 3-4 |
| Jan 3 | @ OTT | L | 2-4 |
| Jan 1 | @ TOR | L | 5-6 |
| Dec 31 | vs DAL | L | 0-1 |
Overall: 4-5-1 in last 10 (-1 goal differential).
| Date | Opponent | Result (Blackhawks) | Score |
| Jan 17 | vs BOS | L | 2-5 |
| Jan 15 | vs CGY | L | 1-3 |
| Jan 14 | vs PHI | W (OT) | 3-2 |
| Jan 12 | vs PHI | L | 1-4 |
| Jan 10 | @ NSH | W | 3-0 |
| Jan 9 | vs WSH | L | 1-5 |
| Jan 7 | vs STL | W | 7-3 |
| Jan 4 | vs VGK | W | 3-2 |
| Jan 3 | vs WSH | W | 3-2 |
| Jan 1 | vs DAL | L | 3-4 |
Overall: 5-5-0 in last 10 (-4 goal differential).
Injury Report
Winnipeg Jets:
Haydn Fleury (D): Out (Upper Body) – Expected return Jan. 22.
Neal Pionk (D): Out (Lower Body) – Expected return Jan. 27.
Colin Miller (D): Out (Knee) – Week-to-week after surgery.
Chicago Blackhawks:
Frank Nazar (C): Out (Upper Body) – Expected return Jan. 22.
Teuvo Teravainen (C): Out (Upper Body) – Expected return Jan. 27.
Sam Lafferty (C): Day-to-Day (Illness).
Shea Weber (D): Out For Season (Ankle).
Key Player Matchups
Injuries decimate both blue lines, potentially leading to higher scoring.
Mark Scheifele (WPG F) vs. Connor Bedard (CHI F): Scheifele (23 goals in 47 GP) leads Jets; Bedard (19 goals in 35 GP) is Chicago’s star.
Kyle Connor (WPG F) vs. Tyler Bertuzzi (CHI F): Connor (23 goals) brings speed; Bertuzzi (24 goals in 45 GP) counters with grit.
Gabriel Vilardi (WPG F) vs. Philipp Kurashev (CHI F): Vilardi (19 goals) exploits mismatches; Kurashev provides secondary scoring.
Connor Hellebuyck (WPG G) vs. Petr Mrazek (CHI G): Hellebuyck (elite, but recent losses) vs. Mrazek (solid home form).
Other keys: Jets’ face-offs (47.2%, 26th) vs. Blackhawks’ (50.8%, 11th). Chicago’s home power play vs. Winnipeg’s penalty kill.
Series History
The Blackhawks have won 26 of 60 games against the Jets (Jets 33-26-1). In the last 7 years, Chicago is 4-12-5 vs Winnipeg. Recent: Jets W 6-3 (10/30/2025), Jets W 4-5 (4/12/2025). At home, Chicago is 11-19-1 vs Jets. Overs have hit in 4 of the last 6.
Betting Trends
Puck Line: Jets 5-5 ATS in last 10; Blackhawks 6-4 ATS as underdogs.
Over/Under: Set at 5.5 to 6, with over -132 to -110. Over is 4-1 in Jets’ last 5; under is 5-1 in Blackhawks’ last 6 home.
Other Trends: Jets 4-6 SU in last 10 road; Blackhawks 3-7 SU in last 10 overall. Winnipeg 5-1 SU as -140 favorites; series overs in 4/6.
Game Odds
Winnipeg Jets – 142
Chicago Blackhawks 5.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, January 18, 2026
