Winnipeg Jets Battle Connor Bedard and Chicago Blackhawks in Home Opener Friday

The Winnipeg Jets will play their home opener Friday against the Chicago Blackhawks at Canada Life Centre. It'll be the 56th time these two organizations have square off against each other since 2000 and the Jets have the better record at 30-20-6 which includes an 11-1-1 record over their last 13 matchups. In ten of their 13 matchups, the Jets offence recorded three or more goals.

New bench boss Scott Arniel wanted to switch the offence heading into this season as the Jets finished outside the top 14 in goals per game with an average of 3.16 which quickly evaporated in their first round matchup versus the Colorado Avalanche.

The adjustments certainly look to pay off as they scored six goals against the defending Western Conference Champion Edmonton Oilers. 12 different Jets recorded a point against Edmonton, with five players achieving multiple points.

Winnipeg's defence has routinely shut down the Blackhawks with two or fewer goals allowed in eight straight games. They will need to limit young superstar Connor Bedard as he's managed to find the back of the net against the Jets elite defence with three goals over his three career games versus Winnipeg.

Connor Hellebuyck should play a pivital role for the Jets once again as he is coming off a stellar 30-save shutout versus the Oilers in their season opener. In his last ten games against Chicago, the two-time Vezina trophy winner has a 8-1-1 record, a 1.80 goals against average of 1.80 and a .937 save percentage.

The Jets will look to stay hot and advance to 2-0-0 on the season before facing off against the Minnesota Wild on Sunday. Catch the game on Sportsnet at 7:00 PM MT, or catch the live broadcast on the Oilers Radio Network, including 880CHED. Tickets are very reasonably priced for the Jets home opener with the lowest pair being sold at roughly C$81.