Artem Anisimov is in and Marian Hossa is out when the Chicago Blackhawks look for their first win against the Winnipeg Jets this season Tuesday night at United Center.
Anisimov, who has 14 goals and 13 assists this season, switched places on the injured reserve list with Hossa on Tuesday. Coach Joel Quenneville said he’s “hopeful” Hossa will return for the Winter Classic on Jan. 2. Hossa has a team-high 16 goals this season.
Chicago (22-9-5) has created a three-point lead in the Central Division, but they’ve yet to find success against the Winnipeg Jets (16-17-3). The Hawks face the Jets for the third time this season. The Jets took the first two matchups, 4-0 and 2-1.
The Hawks are looking to even up their current homestand after dropping their last two games. Despite the losing streak, a bright spot for Chicago is the resurgence of Jonathan Toews. The captain scored his first goal since Nov. 6 against Colorado last Friday, tallying only his fifth goal of the season and his third point since returning from injury Dec. 12.
Corey Crawford looked fresh and healthy in his return to the starting lineup for Chicago last Friday, stopping 32 of 34 shots on goal. Crawford has not lost a game in regulation at home since facing the St. Louis Blues on opening night in October, and his play between the pipes has been a key factor to the Hawks’ success. Touting a save percentage of .927, Crawford continues to reign as one of the best goaltenders in the NHL this season.
As for Winnipeg, they enter tonight’s game coming off a 4-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks. Nikolaj Ehlers had two goals for the second time in three games and finished with three points.
Ehlers has 29 points (nine goals, 20 assists) in 36 games after putting up 38 points (15 goals, 23 assists) in 72 games as a rookie. Speaking of a rookie season, second overall pick Patrik Laine is one goal shy of a 20-goal season. Laine scored during the shutout win over the Blackhawks in November.
Ehlers and former Blackhawks player Dustin Byfuglien each have two assists against Chicago this season.
The Jets are expected to go with Connor Hellebuyck in net. Hellebuyck has turned away 52 of 53 shots in two wins over Chicago. He’s one win away from matching his win total from last season.
For more on the Winnipeg Jets, check out SB Nation’s Arctic Ice Hockey.
Lineups
Blackhawks
Forwards
Hartman-Toews-Hinostroza
Panarin-Anisimov-Kane
Rasmussen-Kruger-Panik
Desjardins-Kero-Tootoo/Motte
Defensemen
Keith-Hjalmarsson
Campbell-Seabrook
Forsling-van Riemsdyk
Goalie
Corey Crawford
Jets
Forwards
Nikolaj Ehlers – Mark Scheifele – Patrik Laine
Mathieu Perreault – Bryan Little – Blake Wheeler
Marko Dano – Nicolas Petan – Drew Stafford
Shawn Matthias – Adam Lowry – Joel Armia
Defensemen
Josh Morrissey – Dustin Byfuglien
Tobias Enstrom – Jacob Trouba
Ben Chiarot – Paul Postma
Goalie
Connor Hellebuyck
How to watch: Jets at Blackhawks
Time: 7:30 p.m. CT
Where: United Center, Chicago
TV: CSN
Live Stream: CSNChicago.com