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Three critical games await Blackhawks after last three wins

It sure wasn't pretty, but the Chicago Blackhawks managed to take care of business by beating Buffalo, Arizona and Florida in their just-completed three-game homestand.

Earning 6 points didn't move the Hawks up the standings much, but coach Joel Quenneville's squad has an excellent chance to do exactly that when they take on Winnipeg (18-8-5), Minnesota (15-11-3) and Dallas (18-13-1) over the next eight days. The Hawks are just 2-4-2 against Central Division foes and can't keep giving away points if they expect to qualify for the playoffs.

“They're all good teams,” said Brandon Saad after the Hawks beat Florida 3-2 in overtime Tuesday. “That's what we need right now — we need that challenge. We need to make up some ground. We're all excited where we're at and who we're going to face.”

While the victories over the Sabres, Coyotes and Panthers were nice, each game hung in the balance in the waning moments. The Hawks can talk all they want about “no easy games,” but Arizona and Florida both played the night before, and Buffalo has the second-worst record in the league.

The Hawks must pick up their game all over the ice and stop relying on Corey Crawford to bail them out every night.

“The thing we've been talking about for a long time (is) we can be harder in the puck area, better with our sticks,” said captain Jonathan Toews. “Passes seem to be going through us. If we clean that up, we're going to be fine. …

“For us to string three together, it's nice to see that we're building off each game. It's something we've got to continue.”

The first test during this three-game stretch will be a stiff one against the speedy, offensive-minded Jets on Thursday. Former Blackhawks assistant GM Kevin Cheveldayoff has compiled an ultra-talented roster that includes:

• A trio of youngsters in Patrik Laine, Nikolaj Ehlers and Kyle Connor who have combined for 39 goals. All three are younger than 22 and figure to be a headache for the Hawks for years to come.

• Mark Scheifele, the seventh overall pick by Winnipeg in 2011, who signed an eight-year, $49 million contract in July 2016. He scored 32 goals in 2016-17 and is on pace for 37 this season.

• Blake Wheeler, who is tied for the league lead with 30 assists and isn't slowing down a bit at age 31.

• A goalie in Connor Hellebuyck who is 16-3-4 with a .920 save percentage. He's on a one-year deal and doing everything he can to secure a long-term contract down the road.

The Hawks, who went 1-4-0 vs. Winnipeg last season, know they're going to have their hands full.

“It's going to be a good test for us for sure,” said coach Joel Quenneville. “We have to be better than we were (against Florida).”

Said Patrick Kane: “The biggest thing is just their team speed. Wheeler seems like he's got a never-ending motor. He's so fast and he plays that way for his whole shift, and sometimes he's out there for a minute, a minute-and-a-half.

“It's pretty impressive the conditioning he has. He's probably the one guy that impressed me the most.”

The Hawks are catching a break with D-man Dustin Byfuglien out with a lower-body injury he suffered against Tampa Bay on Saturday, but Quenneville's squad will be without Cody Franson (IR) and probably Jan Rutta.

After Winnipeg, the Hawks host the Wild on Sunday and play at Dallas on Thursday, Dec. 21. The Wild has won five of six (four in OT or a shootout), while the Stars are 8-4-0 since their pedestrian 9-9-1 start.

“Everybody seems to be winning, and within those wins there's a lot of 3-point nights,” said center Tommy Wingels. “We've just got to continue to do our jobs. … That's all we can do.

“We can't be scoreboard watching quite yet because if we don't take care of what we can control, we're going to be in trouble.”

Scouting report

Blackhawks vs. Winnipeg Jets at Bell MTS Place, 7 tonight

TV: NBCSCH • Radio: WGN 720-AM

The skinny: Both teams are dealing with injuries to defensemen. Winnipeg will be without former Hawk Dustin Byfuglien as he suffered a lower-body injury Saturday vs. Tampa Bay. Meanwhile, the Hawks placed Cody Franson (upper body) on injured reserve Wednesday and recalled Ville Pokka from Rockford. Jan Rutta seems unlikely to play after struggling to get to his feet after a big hit from Florida's Connor Brickley on Tuesday. … Winnipeg (18-8-5, 41 points) is battling with St. Louis (44 points) and Nashville (40) atop the Central Division, but the Jets went just 1-2-1 in their last four games. … Through Tuesday, Winnipeg ranked fourth in goals per game (3.4) and on the power play (25.9 percent). … The Hawks lost four of five to the Jets last season, scoring just 2 goals in the first three contests. … Corey Crawford went 3-0-0 and stopped 92 of 97 shots (.948 save pct.) in three games since returning from an lower-body injury.

Next: Minnesota Wild at United Center, 6 p.m. Sunday

— John Dietz

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