Series Discussion: Jets (C1) vs Blues (WC2) - Western Conference First Round

[cbcwpg]

It's honestly a minor miracle we're leading this series with two top 6 forwards out all series, one comes back and our top line centre goes out after a period, and our Hart candidate goaltender has been the worst goalie statistically in the playoffs.

If Helly would actually play in the playoffs like he does in the regular season, it wouldn't matter who the Jets have in the lineup.

 

[surixon]

I'm expecting a different round of players to step up tomorrow.

Perfetti has been all so close to breaking out and putting up a big multi point playoff game. I think it happens for him tomorrow.

Helle is capable of stealing games/series and my guess is he brings his best performance in years tomorrow.

I also think the captain plays his best game and makes a big impact.

 

[jokesondee]

I'm expecting a different round of players to step up tomorrow.

Perfetti has been all so close to breaking out and putting up a big multi point playoff game. I think it happens for him tomorrow.

Helle is capable of stealing games/series and my guess is he brings his best performance in years tomorrow.

I also think the captain plays his best game and makes a big impact.

 

[JetsUK]

I'm expecting a different round of players to step up tomorrow.

Perfetti has been all so close to breaking out and putting up a big multi point playoff game. I think it happens for him tomorrow.

Helle is capable of stealing games/series and my guess is he brings his best performance in years tomorrow.

I also think the captain plays his best game and makes a big impact.

Agree that Cole is due.

This team has spent much of the season winning by committee. Time for another Unsung Heroes Special.

... and that includes Playoff Helly.

 

[ICdave]

 

[DudeWhereIsMakar]

One thing is for certain, all eyes will be on us tomorrow.

 

[jetsforever]

Seems that Game 7 would potentially be at 6pm CT on Sunday (hope it doesn't happen though!)

 

[roccerfeller]

Murat has a great article in the Athletic

We are all hoping for a gamer 6 win. some interesting tidbits and history that the Jets can re-write:

- A win makes this the first series win for the team since 2021 (vs Oilers)
- it would reverse the script from 2019's series loss, which was also last time Buff suited up for us
- Blues have been incredible at home this year. 14 straight wins. Last 2 vs our president trophy winning Jets were won in convincing, dominating fashion
- We haven't won in regulation in St Louis since
- We are without our best offensive player and franchise point leader in 55
- Still no Nik, PP still a bit handicapped as a result
- Penalties seem to come if we give any pushback
- a silent W for us with Gabe's return has been his face off success
- another silent W is we've already made some mini history by winning this game 5, so there is precedent to continue setting a new narrative

 

[ICdave]

Two hours of Jets talk on the Illegal Curve Hockey Show starting at 9 AM.

 

[cbcwpg]

Jets 1.0 and 2.0 combined, the Jets have been in three game 7's, all on the road.

The last time Winnipeg hosted a game #7 was Apr 24, 1977 ( WHA ). Jets won by the way.

 

[kanadalainen]

Would be excellent to win this next game. Helly still has a game to redeem himself. Massive game, huge implications, a classic game 7. Really hope the Jets can wipe the smugness off of Mongomery's pucked up face.

Put up or shut up.

 

[kanadalainen]

Two hours of Jets talk on the Illegal Curve Hockey Show starting at 9 AM.

No one says much @ICdave but thank you for these segments. I like em.

 

[DRW204]

it's not like the Blues have been extremely well. not sure if it's bad Blues, or good Jets.

the Jets were +20 on standing points on them, highest in the West, and tied with WSH vs MTL. but have stooped to the Blues level really.

at home this POs: the Jets have allowed ~19 SOG/gp (2nd best), 1.86 xGA/gp (best) at all-strengths. even with a sv% in the 0.87's that low of SOG volume is ~2 GA/gp, which is low. the Jets are bailing their Sieve out.

 

[roccerfeller]

No one says much @ICdave but thank you for these segments. I like em.

Agree

 

[roccerfeller]

it's not like the Blues have been extremely well. not sure if it's bad Blues, or good Jets.

the Jets were +20 on standing points on them, highest in the West, and tied with WSH vs MTL. but have stooped to the Blues level really.

at home this POs: the Jets have allowed ~19 SOG/gp (2nd best), 1.86 xGA/gp (best) at all-strengths. even with a sv% in the 0.87's that low of SOG volume is ~2 GA/gp, which is low. the Jets are bailing their Sieve out.

Hopefully those stats continue game 7 so we can enjoy a series win, even if Helle is just 1 save “better”, that home play is reassuring.

I also expect Ehlers and Gabe to be better. More caught up to game speed.

 

[cbcwpg]

Was curious about this so I went digging thru the stats...

In 1985, the President's Trophy came about for the team that finishes 1st overall in the league. And since this award was created, NO TEAM has ever won the Stanley Cup in their first year of winning the President's Trophy.

My theory, it's not a curse but just mental. You get thru the season basically winning all the time with a few road bumps along the way, but then as soon as you hit adversity ( and I mean playoff adversity, not the type you get in the regular season ), you start questioning yourself and why is it not working for us anymore. I think it takes losing in the playoffs after a great season to get you to realize that the regular season means nothing, and finishing first means nothing, and it's how you play in the playoffs that means everything.

Take Washington. They still had a chance to catch the Jets for 1st overall, yet ( other than Ovi for reasons we understand ) the Wash coach decided to shut it down. Rest some players and get ready for what matters.

The Jets on the other hand killed themselves to get 1st in the Division, conference, and league, for home ice advantage. And sure having that advantage is important, but if the Jets lose game #7, then you have to ask yourself, was that effort worth it, or could a different path had been a better approach.?

**

On this series, I wonder if the standings had been reversed ( St.L 1st - Jets wildcard ), would we have had a different result? All the pressure of finishing 1st on St.L , no pressure on the Jets.

 

[Bob E]

I think the pressure to finish first in the Central, to avoid Dallas or Colorado in the first round, was very much top of mind for the organization and still is a very sound strategy for me. St. Louis is no push over, but the team didn't want to face those other teams in a 1st round.

Should they get past the Blues on Sunday, they would welcome a round 2 series with one of them, and hopefully by then, found their game that will have success in the playoffs. For instance, getting through round 1 will perhaps help Helle mentally in round 2 to get to his Vezina form.

 

[HPsauce]

Schief on the ice today and feeling better apparently.


Conner Scheif Vilardi
Perfetti Barron Ehlers
Nino Lowry Appleton
AI Names Kupari/Dolan.

That's personally the lines I'd be running in the game 7. Dolan is good, Kupari as well brings a lot of speed.

Sammy Pionk
Mo Demelo
Miller Schenn.

 

[ICdave]

 

[PhilJets]

Schief on the ice today and feeling better apparently.


Conner Scheif Vilardi
Perfetti Barron Ehlers
Nino Lowry Appleton
AI Names Kupari/Dolan.

That's personally the lines I'd be running in the game 7. Dolan is good, Kupari as well brings a lot of speed.

Sammy Pionk
Mo Demelo
Miller Schenn.

I like the 2nd line...

Names in the 4th line makes that much better. They probably get the game winning goal or 2nd line..

 

[PhilJets]

Was curious about this so I went digging thru the stats...

In 1985, the President's Trophy came about for the team that finishes 1st overall in the league. And since this award was created, NO TEAM has ever won the Stanley Cup in their first year of winning the President's Trophy.

My theory, it's not a curse but just mental. You get thru the season basically winning all the time with a few road bumps along the way, but then as soon as you hit adversity ( and I mean playoff adversity, not the type you get in the regular season ), you start questioning yourself and why is it not working for us anymore. I think it takes losing in the playoffs after a great season to get you to realize that the regular season means nothing, and finishing first means nothing, and it's how you play in the playoffs that means everything.

Take Washington. They still had a chance to catch the Jets for 1st overall, yet ( other than Ovi for reasons we understand ) the Wash coach decided to shut it down. Rest some players and get ready for what matters.

The Jets on the other hand killed themselves to get 1st in the Division, conference, and league, for home ice advantage. And sure having that advantage is important, but if the Jets lose game #7, then you have to ask yourself, was that effort worth it, or could a different path had been a better approach.?

**

On this series, I wonder if the standings had been reversed ( St.L 1st - Jets wildcard ), would we have had a different result? All the pressure of finishing 1st on St.L , no pressure on the Jets.

Partly my take IMO... also

the President trophy winner is on cruise control by the end of the season. The team that they will play been in playoff mode for few weeks already.

Not saying for the Jets but overall - the Blackhawks team that last won it, was a different team. Elite at each position. On top of their game.