The Chicago Blackhawks (23-28-9) visit the Winnipeg Jets (23-26-10) in a Central Division matchup between two struggling teams battling for positioning in the lower half of the standings. Both clubs are out of serious playoff contention late in the 2025-26 season, with the Jets holding a slight edge in points and home-ice advantage. This is one of the final meetings between the teams this season, with Chicago looking to build on a recent shutout win while Winnipeg aims to snap a mini-skid.
Venue: Canada Life Centre, Winnipeg, MB
Puck drop is scheduled for 8:00 PM ET (7:00 PM CT local)
TV/Radio: ESPN+ (national), CHSN / NBC Sports Chicago (Blackhawks), TSN3 / Bally Sports Wisconsin (Jets regional); local radio on 670 The Score (Blackhawks) / Power 97 / TSN 1290 (Jets)
Injury Report
Chicago Blackhawks:
- Sam Rinzel (D) – Day-to-Day / Questionable (illness; missed recent games, status for tonight uncertain)
- Wyatt Kaiser (D) – Out (lower body; on IR since early February, expected out longer)
- Shea Weber (D) – Out for Season (ankle; LTIR)
- Others: Minor depth call-ups or long-term absences (e.g., older vets); core forwards like Connor Bedard, Teuvo Teravainen, and Nick Foligno available.
Winnipeg Jets:
- Josh Morrissey (D) – Out (upper body; IR since mid-February, hoped for return post-road trip but unlikely tonight)
- Neal Pionk (D) – Out / Week-to-Week (new lower-body injury; recent addition)
- Nino Niederreiter (LW) – Out / Week-to-Week (lower body; lingering from pre-Olympics)
- Vladislav Namestnikov (C/LW) – Out / Week-to-Week (lower body; injured recently)
- Colin Miller (D) – Out (knee; IR)
- Haydn Fleury (D) – Questionable / Day-to-Day (non-contact skating but uncertain)
- Others: Kyle Connor available and expected to play heavy minutes.
Both teams are thin on the blue line, forcing reliance on depth defensemen and potentially affecting puck movement and special teams.
Recent Form (Last 5-10 Games)
Blackhawks (mixed, recent positive):
- W 4-0 @ Utah Mammoth (March 1) – Arvid Soderblom shutout (22 saves), Teravainen 2G (PP + SH)
- L 1-3 @ Colorado (Feb. 28)
- Struggling streak prior but ended three-game skid with clean sheet; averaging ~3.0 GF/G in wins, solid road effort lately.
Jets (struggling, 1-3-1 recent):
- L 1-2 OT @ San Jose (March 1) – Morgan Barron goal but Misa OT winner for Sharks
- L 4-5 OT @ Anaheim (prior)
- Defensive breakdowns and low scoring; averaging under 2.5 GF/G lately, goaltending holding but injuries hurting transition.
Series History (2025-26 Season)
Limited details on full series, but Chicago has struggled historically against Winnipeg (1-6 SU in last 7 meetings per trends). Jets have won most recent encounters, often in low-scoring affairs. Recent games trend tight and defensive.
Key Player Matchups
- Connor Bedard (Blackhawks C, elite prospect scoring) vs. Winnipeg’s top defensive pair (sans Morrissey/Pionk):** Bedard exploits gaps in depleted Jets D; expect high shot volume and PP usage.
- Teuvo Teravainen (Blackhawks forward, recent hot streak) vs. Jets secondary checking: Teravainen’s two-goal game vs. Utah boosts confidence; key for secondary scoring.
- Kyle Connor / Mark Scheifele (Jets forwards) vs. Chicago’s young D: Connor back and motivated; Scheifele centers top line against depleted Hawks blue line.
- Goaltending: Arvid Soderblom (Blackhawks, fresh shutout) vs. Jets starter (likely Hellebuyck or backup): Soderblom’s momentum vs. Winnipeg’s injury-hit defense could allow rebounds/odd-man rushes.
Betting Trends
- Jets strong at home but 2-3 ATS in last 5; Blackhawks 1-5 SU last 6 road games.
- Under has hit in recent low-scoring Jets home games and Blackhawks road contests.
- Chicago 1-6 SU last 7 vs. Winnipeg; Jets poor ATS recently due to injuries.
- Total Under 5.5/6 in multiple recent head-to-heads.
Game Odds
Chicago Blackhawks 5.5
Winnipeg Jets – 162
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, March 2, 2026
