OK, let's get this out of the way right now. I'm laying this price with the Blackhawks knowing they aren't going to have star defenseman Duncan Keith, goalie Corey Crawford and veteran right winger Marian Hossa. Keith is suspended, Crawford is hurt and Hossa is sick.

Yet I see the Blackhawks closing ranks following a 4-1 loss to the Wild this past Tuesday. Chicago went 0-5 against Minnesota this season. The Wild has the Blackhawks' number. Winnipeg doesn't. The Jets are a bottom-five team that isn't playing well either losing six of their last eight. They have lost 14 of their past 19 home games. Chicago has won in eight of its last nine visits to Winnipeg.

The Blackhawks have had two full days to prepare for this matchup, which has become important for them not only from a mental standpoint but also in the standing as Chicago has only a four-point lead on Nashville for third place in the Central Division.

Chicago does get back Artem Anisimov and Brent Seabrook. Scott Darling, Crawford's replacement in goal, shut out the Jets, 4-0, just two weeks ago in Winnipeg.