GAMEDAY: Jets vs Blackhawks

WINNIPEG -For the first time in 11 days, the Winnipeg Jets are back in action tonight against the Chicago Blackhawks.
They'll just have to wait a bit longer than usual, with a rare 9 pm CT puck drop tonight at Canada Life Centre.
"I don't think it's too big of an issue. Once we get to the rink it's not like we're going to be yawning going out there," said Kyle Connor. "We're going to be fired up, we're going to be ready to go. It's different, but once we're here, it's not much different."
Connor might be one of the players on the team most comfortable with a late start.
Some might remember the magical triple overtime goal that Connor scored in Game 4 against the Edmonton Oilers in the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs, which pushed the Jets into the second round.
That game started at 9 pm CT. So perhaps a repeat tonight?

"First game back after a break, I don't know if we need triple overtime," Connor said with a grin. "That being said, there are no excuses. We have to bring our best. For us, it's keeping it simple the first couple shifts, roll them over, use everybody. I know Chicago has a played a couple games already. I'm sure they have their wheels under them and ready to come out here."
LINE RUSHES
There were no changes to the Jets line rushes from the last two days of practice, so expect the line-up to look like this, with Mason Appleton returning from a wrist injury that has kept him out since November 13:
Connor-Dubois-Perfetti
Ehlers-Scheifele-Wheeler
Barron-Lowry-Kuhlman
Maenalanen-Stenlund-Appleton
Morrissey-Pionk
Dillon-Samberg
Stanley-Schmidt
Connor Hellebuyck will get the start in goal.
SOUTH ASIAN HERITAGE NIGHT
For the first time, the Jets will celebrate South Asian Heritage Night at Canada Life Centre.
For more details on the night, check out some of our earlier coverage:
Singh Thrilled to Participate
How the Logo Came Together
What to Expect Tonight
-- Mitchell Clinton, WinnipegJets.com
Game Notes
The Jets have 30 games remaining on their schedule, which will be played over the course of 62 days. Winnipeg's best final 30 games of a season came in 2017-18 when the Jets went 22-8-0 for a 0.733 points percentage.
The Jets went 9-6-0 in January, which is the most wins the franchise have had in a January. Kyle Connor (8G, 8A) an Mark Scheifele (8GG, 8A) led the Jets in scoring with 16 points in 15 games.
The Jets posted their fourth two-goal comeback win of the season in their game against St. Louis, which is tied for fifth in the NHL. It was their first two-goal comeback in the third period this season.
The Jets are 13-4-0 against their Central Division counterparts this season, which is tops in the division. Winnipeg has won eight of their past 10 against Central Division teams. Winnipeg went 14-6-6 against divisional rivals last season.
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