Jets vs Blackhawks: Toews Returns to Chicago as Central Rivals Clash at United Center

Winnipeg and Chicago meet again in a matchup that carries more emotion than the standings suggest. The Jets visit the Blackhawks at United Center on Monday night in Chicago (early Tuesday morning, Jan. 20, in Africa/Cairo), with both clubs sitting in the bottom half of the Central Division and looking for a jolt heading into a busy week.

The headline is clear: Jonathan Toews’ first game back in Chicago against the Blackhawks since his departure has turned an ordinary January meeting into a spotlight game, with fans watching not just the score but the moments around it.

Jets vs Blackhawks: Records, recent form, and why this game matters

This is the second of four meetings in the season series. Winnipeg took the first matchup in late October with a 6–3 win at home, and another win here would give the Jets a chance to build real separation in the head-to-head.

Both teams enter the night with similar records:

• Jets: 19–22–6

• Blackhawks: 19–22–7

The recent trajectories are different but equally urgent. Winnipeg has shown flashes of strong form in January, while Chicago has been fighting through another skid and searching for consistent scoring support behind Connor Bedard.

The Toews storyline: a return that changes the temperature of the building

Toews’ presence reshapes the atmosphere inside United Center. This isn’t a ceremonial wave-and-go moment. It’s a competitive return, and it lands at a time when Winnipeg needs points and Chicago needs proof it can punch up against familiar opponents.

Beyond the emotion, the hockey angle is simple: the Jets gain a veteran center who can stabilize minutes, win draws, and settle games that get loose. For the Blackhawks, it’s one more reason to treat this as a statement opportunity rather than just another date on the calendar.

Players to watch: Scheifele, Bedard, and a matchup of star power

Even in a battle of middle-of-the-pack records, there’s real firepower on the ice.

Winnipeg’s drivers

• Mark Scheifele has been Winnipeg’s most reliable engine, leading the team in points and setting the pace for their top six.

• Kyle Connor remains the Jets’ most dangerous finisher when the game opens up and rush chances appear.

• Josh Morrissey is the back-end creator who can tilt ice time, especially when Winnipeg gets into extended offensive-zone shifts.

Chicago’s focal point

• Connor Bedard continues to be the center of gravity for the Blackhawks’ offense. When Chicago wins, it usually starts with Bedard creating high-danger looks or forcing defensive breakdowns with pace and deception.

• Tyler Bertuzzi has provided a scoring punch that helps keep Chicago from becoming a one-line threat.

Goaltending and the swing factor

This matchup features goaltending that can decide the night quickly.

• Connor Hellebuyck gives Winnipeg the confidence to play aggressively when they’re at their best. If he’s sharp early, the Jets can press with their forecheck and live with the occasional counterchance.

• Spencer Knight has been a key variable for Chicago. If he turns away Winnipeg’s first wave, the Blackhawks can hang around long enough for their skill to matter late.

One key early indicator: whether Chicago can survive the first 10 minutes without chasing the game. Winnipeg’s top group can pile pressure fast when it smells an opening.

Injury watch: depth could matter more than usual

Both teams have been dealing with lineup uncertainty, especially in the supporting cast. Winnipeg has had multiple defensemen miss time, and Chicago’s forward group has been stretched as well. In a game between closely matched records, the fourth line and third pairing often decide who steals the extra goal.

If the game tightens, watch for which bench can keep structure after icings and long defensive-zone shifts. Fatigue mistakes show up there first.

Three keys that will likely decide Jets vs Blackhawks

1. Special teams discipline
   The first game of the season series featured power-play damage. If penalties stack up again, the night can swing in a hurry.

2. Containing Bedard through the middle
   Chicago’s best shifts often start when Bedard gains the zone with speed and gets to the middle lane. Winnipeg’s ability to force him wide will determine how comfortable Hellebuyck is.

3. Winnipeg’s top line vs Chicago’s matchups
   If Chicago can disrupt Scheifele and Connor without overcommitting, it keeps the game within one bounce. If not, Winnipeg can turn a close contest into a two-goal margin quickly.

What’s next in the season series

After this meeting in Chicago, the teams will see each other twice more:

• March 3: in Winnipeg

• March 31: in Chicago

For now, Monday night’s game carries its own gravity: a division matchup, a pivotal two points for two teams trying to climb, and a return story that ensures every shift involving Toews will be watched like a headline.