The Chicago Blackhawks are in Winnipeg to take on the Jets in a Central Division showdown on Thursday night, but they won’t have to face one of their former teammates when they take the ice.
At the team’s morning skate, Jets head coach Paul Maurice announced that defenseman Dustin Byfuglien will not be in the lineup for the game. Byfuglien was the target of a big hit in the Jets’ last game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday night, and although the team didn’t specify what his injury was, it will apparently be enough to keep him off the ice.
Byfuglien has two goals and 15 assists in 21 games with the Jets so far this season, so the team’s offense will certainly miss him as they go up against a depleted Blackhawks defense.
Defenseman Joe Morrow was also ruled out by Maurice at the team’s pregame skate. Sami Niku and Cam Schilling will play in the duo’s place on Thursday night.
