GAMEDAY: Blues at Jets

WINNIPEG – Following a 2-0 loss in Chicago, the Winnipeg Jets get right back on the ice as they host the St. Louis Blues at Canada Life Centre on Tuesday night.

Winnipeg fired 32 shots at Spencer Knight but could not get one goal past the Blackhawks goaltender for their first regulation loss since January 8. The Jets are now nine points out of the final wild card spot in the Western Conference and are two points back of their opponent tonight, St. Louis.

“There was a lot of rebounds, a lot of loose pucks, that we didn't get to, Chicago got to. And they end up flipping a puck out to the neutral zone, winning the race to it,” said head coach Scott Arniel on Monday night.

“We get in games like that, they're tight like that, Chicago is really defending the net front, we've got to find a way. We've got to find a way to get inside, get those rebounds, get the greasy goals. We've been doing a really good job of that recently. We've got to find a way to even that score.”

For the first time since the calendars flipped to 2026, the Jets failed to score the opening goal against Chicago. The Jets streak ended at nine consecutive games scoring first, the longest opening goal streak in franchise history. The Jets opening goal streak was the second-longest recorded in the NHL this season, with only the Minnesota Wild (12 games) posting a longer stretch.

Jonathan Toews made his return to Chicago for the first time since he signed with the Jets. The 37-year-old continues to be grateful for being back in the NHL after missing two seasons and being able to play with his hometown team.

"There’s been quite a few challenges, even just getting back into the league and being with a new team this year. A lot of little things you’ve got to work through to get your game back to play at this level and help your team," said Toews last night.

"And then it’s times like this that really help you not take for granted how difficult it is to play at this level. The league just keeps getting better. Even a team like Chicago. They had a couple tough years and then they’re right back in the mix. I’m happy to get the chance to go out there and play."

Make sure to watch the pregame show “The Check In” with Sara Orlesky and Jamie Thomas at 12:30 CT on YouTube, X or Facebook.

Winnipeg’s penalty kill continued its recent hot stretch against the Blackhawks, going 3-for-3 including a lengthy 5-on-3 kill. The Jets have now gone six consecutive games without allowing a power play goal, going 13-for-13 in that stretch.

Isaak Phillips made his Jets debut on Monday night against his former team, having played in 56 career games for the Blackhawks. Despite only playing 6:29 in the contest, Phillips recorded two shots on goal and a blocked shot. Elias Salomonsson was a late scratch due to an illness, so Phillips might play again tonight.

“Yeah, that was real short notice for him,” said Arniel. “Might have helped him, not coming in here too nervous. He handled himself well, used his size, skated well, made some nice plays. He did what he had to do. He's going to probably have to go back in (Tuesday), we'll see where we're at with Sal. But he did what he had to do."

The Jets have posted an 7-3-0 record in the last 10 games against the Blues and a 3-2-0 record in the last five. Winnipeg has won six of the last seven regular season meetings with the Blues at Canada Life Centre.

"Another team, St. Louis, that we're going to have to take a run at here. Again, Central Division, we've got to get after them, we've got to come home, make sure we get a rest, get ourselves ready," said Arniel.

"Again, we're in these three-in-fours, like everybody's doing. We've got to make sure that mentally we're strong and then we've got to go out and get ourselves some points."

Puck drop is scheduled for 7 CT.