The set-up: The Winnipeg Jets host the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday, following a six-game road trip in which they went 0-2-1 the last three games, after opening with three consecutive wins. Tuesday's 3-1 loss at division leading Nashville leaves the Jets at 41-19-10 and while the team's 92 points have them well inside the playoff cut line, the Jets trail the Preds by eight points in the Central Division with only 12 games remaining. The Blackhawks visit Winnipeg tonight and almost certainly are going to miss the playoffs for the first time in 10 seasons. Chicago has gone 6-13-1 in its past 20 games to drop to the bottom of the Central standings.

Chicago: The Blackhawks did bounce back from Saturday's 7-4 defeat at Boston to beat the Bruins 3-1 in Chicago on Sunday but it was little more than a moral victory. Goaltender Anton Forsberg, who made 31 saves in Sunday's victory, is expected to start Thursday. Center Jonathan Toews recorded three assists Sunday, and has nine points (three goals) in seven games this month, after recording eight in each of the season's first five months. Toews has 49 points on the season, second on the team to Patrick Kane's 66 (Kane's 25 goals are also tops for Chicago). Despite ranking second in the league with 34.4 shots per game, Chicago is averaging a modest 2.83 GPG, which ranks 19th. A good part of the problem can be attributed to Chicago struggling on the power play, as the Blackhawks rank 28th in the league, converting just15.9 percent.

Winnipeg: Adding insult to injury in the recent loss to Nashville was center Paul Stastny getting hurt in warmups and goaltender Michael Hutchinson () being injured in the first period. Winnipeg has lost three in a row (0-2-1) but still maintains a seven-point lead on Minnesota for second place in the Central. Center Mark Scheifele (21 goals and 51 points) has missed the past four games with an upper-body injury but the Jets hope he is close to returning. Patrik Laine leads the team with 41 goals and Blake Wheeler leads with 77 points (59 assists). Connor Hellebuyck, third in the NHL with 35 wins, made 30 saves in relief of Hutchinson and will start Thursday. That's hardly bad news, as Hellebuyck is the team's No. 1 goalie (2.36 GAA & .925 SP).

The pick: Just one season after posting 50 wins, the second most in the NHL that year and second most in franchise history, Chicago will almost certainly end its nine-year run of making the playoffs. Hockey-reference.com predicts the Blackhawks have a 0.2 percent chance of qualifying for the postseason in 2018! Winninpeg is 24-7-2 on home ice this season, outscoring opponents 3.85-to-2.55 GPG. With Chicago allowing 3.40 GPG away from home, I say make the Jets an 8* play.