High-flying Jets troika a tough test for winless Blackhawks

Winnipeg ’s top line against Chicago’s top defensive pair ... Who ya got?

The Jets’ No. 1 unit is buzzing, and Patrik Laine leads the way with 10 points.

Mark Schiefele is right behind Laine with eight points, while Blake Wheeler is tied for the team lead (with Laine) with three goals.

They’ll give Chicago defensive pair Duncan Keith and Connor Murphy all they can handle and more when the Blackhawks host Winnipeg on Saturday.

Here are five things to watch for when Winnipeg (3-2) lines up against Chicago (0-2):

1

Score first, for a change The Jets have given up the first goal in all five games they have played, and while they’ve come back to win three, that’s not a healthy way to live. The odds favour the team that gets out of the gate quickly. It could also have a demoralizing effect on the Blackhawks, who are winless after two games.

2

Work that power play The Blackhawks are struggling with their penalty killing, giving up three goals in just six short-handed situations. So this would be a good time for the Jets’ power play, just 1-for-11 this season, to get on a roll.

3

Same from Hellebuyck After swearing he felt good following a sub-par first game, goalie Connor Hellebuyck felt good and looked good in his next two starts. Outside of Laine, he was the Jets’ best player on Thursday. Their most important, anyway.

4

Defence must improve Coach Paul Maurice doesn’t like the chances his team is giving up — the Wild peppered Hellebuyck with 40 shots on Thursday — and that starts in Winnipeg’s own zone. Improved work from this patchwork collection of defencemen is critical.

5

Balanced scoring

It’s all fine and good for the top line to be on a roll, but what happens when the Big Three dry up? The Jets have received some secondary scoring — Kyle Connor scored a four-on-four goal the other night, Jack Roslovic had one, the defence has chipped in — and they need it to continue.

Ottawa’s Thomas Chabot says there was no hesitation when he was asked to pitch in Friday as he and Senators teammates Colin White, Brady Tkachuk, Mark Borowiecki and Christian Wolanin spread some Thanksgiving cheer.

The Senators delivered turkeys to the Ottawa Mission, Shepherds of Good Hope in Ottawa and Moisson Outaouais across the river in Gatineau, Que.

“We’re lucky to do what we do every day,” Chabot said.

“When you go to places like that, you feel fortunate for what you have. Where we’re at, the status we have, we try to use that to help people.

“People are always happy to see you. It just makes you feel better.”