Jets Aim to Avoid Letdown Against Surging Blackhawks

Winnipeg looks to keep playoff hopes alive with key road matchup against Chicago

Mar. 31, 2026 at 1:35am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey game between the Winnipeg Jets and Chicago Blackhawks, with the players and action broken down into overlapping planes of color and sharp angles.The Jets and Blackhawks clash in a crucial late-season matchup, with both teams fighting for their playoff lives.Chicago Today

The Winnipeg Jets will travel to Chicago to face the Blackhawks on Tuesday night, looking to maintain their momentum in the Western Conference wild-card race. The Jets are coming off a 4-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche, but coach Scott Arniel warned his team against taking a 'big step back' against the Blackhawks. Chicago has lost three straight games but is led by the impressive rookie season of Connor Bedard, who has 68 points in 61 games.

Why it matters

The Jets are in a tight battle for the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference, so every game is crucial as they try to catch the Nashville Predators. A win over the Blackhawks would keep Winnipeg's playoff hopes alive, while a loss could severely damage their postseason chances.

The details

The Jets (31-30-12, 74 points) are 3-2-2 in their last seven games and are led by Gabriel Vilardi, who set new career highs in goals (28) and points (62) with a two-point performance against the Avalanche. The Blackhawks (27-34-13, 67 points) have lost three straight games but are paced by rookie sensation Connor Bedard, who has 30 goals, 38 assists, and 68 points on the season.

  • The Jets and Blackhawks will face off on Tuesday, April 1, 2026.
  • The Jets are in the midst of a four-game road trip.

The players

Winnipeg Jets

An NHL team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, currently competing for a wild-card playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Chicago Blackhawks

An NHL team based in Chicago, Illinois, led by rookie sensation Connor Bedard.

Gabriel Vilardi

A forward for the Winnipeg Jets who recently set new career highs in goals and points.

Connor Bedard

A rookie forward for the Chicago Blackhawks who leads the team with 30 goals, 38 assists, and 68 points.

Scott Arniel

The head coach of the Winnipeg Jets.

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What they’re saying

“We looked at the scoreboard, and we got some help around the league. That's what we need, but you've got to win to gain ground. We did that. Now all of our focus zeroes in on Chicago. It can't be one of those ones where you have a great game here, and then you take a big step back.”

— Scott Arniel, Jets Head Coach

“Every game's huge. We need to win every game just to keep afloat right now, to try and stay tied and then make up ground. ... This is a huge win, coming in to play the best team in the NHL right now and winning. I'm not undermining that. It's a good win for us.”

— Gabriel Vilardi, Jets Forward

“Anytime you lose, you can learn from it. We're going to go back, do some video, figure out how to be better and go from there.”

— Frank Nazar, Blackhawks Forward

What’s next

The Jets and Blackhawks will face off again on Tuesday, April 1, 2026 in Chicago. This will be the fourth and final meeting between the two teams this season, with the Jets having won two of the three previous matchups.

The takeaway

The Jets' playoff hopes are hanging by a thread, so they cannot afford to take their foot off the gas against the struggling Blackhawks. A win would keep them in the hunt, while a loss could all but end their postseason aspirations. The battle between these Central Division rivals will be a crucial one in the final stretch of the regular season.