Series Talk: Wild vs. Jets (Round 1)

[tbcwpg]

What kind of setup does WPG use for their pp? Doesn't Laine score most of his pp goals from the same spot that Ovi does? If that's true then I am worried about special teams play because we never seem to be able to stop Ovi from that spot even though we know it's coming.

We also like the pass from the goal line right beside the net to the slot. Both units use it - Stastny has been the guy just behind the net for the first unit since he arrived.

The Jets success on the PP isn't all Laine. Teams cheat towards him leaving a shot from the slot or leaving a shot for Byfuglien.

I'm looking forward to this one. I think most Jets fans are confident but I don't see a lot of sweep talk. That mostly is coming from the neutrals. I don't think any of the games this season have been when both teams are at their best and the Wild have had a great second half.

 

[Aavco Cup]

Some Wild info here

 

[Wabit]

The Jets are going to be making the Customs people work OT on the weekend with all those trips back and forth.

 

[stranger]

Over/Under for:

Wild jerseys in Winnipeg: 4
Winnipeg jerseys in MN: 4,800

 

[Wabit]

Over/Under for:

Wild jerseys in Winnipeg: 4
Winnipeg jerseys in MN: 4,800

Well the Wild jerseys will really stand out so the camera people can easily find them. They will be the lone trees standing in a field of fresh snow.

 

[63firebird]

As for the series itself, I'm feeling optimistic. There's no denying that the Jets are the odds on favorite before any games are played, but things can change real quick once the puck drops.

As should be expected, there's been lots of talk about the strength of the Jets' forward lines and the question mark on the Wild's blueline with Suter out, but these series often hinge on special teams and goaltending. We don't have any decided advantage there either, but I think Dubnyk is at least capable of outplaying Hellebuyck and I think our PK is capable of containing the Jets' powerplay. If this becomes a special teams battle and the Wild powerplay is able to capitalize, I don't think our chances are all that dire.

More than anything right now I think of that first period of Game 1 against St Louis in 2015. All the talk leading up was about how favored St Louis was, until Zucker carried the puck in all alone and scored on a wrap-around about 3 minutes into the game. The Blues never really recovered from that.

I was just about to say this reminds of the Blues series from a couple of years ago. From a predictions standpoint.

Has anybody mentioned that the Jets haven't beat the Wild in 2018? The last time (Nov. 27th) the Jets beat the Wild occurred in Winnipeg (7-2). The Wild were playing their 3rd game in 4 nights and had Stalock in net the whole game.

Not that stats mean much but on the NHL website it has I think 5 major stats. Wilds highest is 13th and Jets lowest is 9th. That’s some disparity. Over 6 games that should matter.
The first game is all important. Wild will play well and lose by one. Or they will be dumb enough to be intimidated and get into that game and lose by several.
Sure hope I’m wrong but after 11-9-64 does anyone even know who is on their line?
3 rookie D? Plus Greenway? Or Ennis?
Prosser better keep his scoring streak alive.

 

[Bazeek]

Not that stats mean much but on the NHL website it has I think 5 major stats. Wilds highest is 13th and Jets lowest is 9th. That’s some disparity. Over 6 games that should matter.
The first game is all important. Wild will play well and lose by one. Or they will be dumb enough to be intimidated and get into that game and lose by several.
Sure hope I’m wrong but after 11-9-64 does anyone even know who is on their line?
3 rookie D? Plus Greenway? Or Ennis?
Prosser better keep his scoring streak alive.

 

[Wabit]

Not that stats mean much but on the NHL website it has I think 5 major stats. Wilds highest is 13th and Jets lowest is 9th. That’s some disparity. Over 6 games that should matter.
The first game is all important. Wild will play well and lose by one. Or they will be dumb enough to be intimidated and get into that game and lose by several.
Sure hope I’m wrong but after 11-9-64 does anyone even know who is on their line?
3 rookie D? Plus Greenway? Or Ennis?
Prosser better keep his scoring streak alive.

Koivu and JEE lines are set. Staal/Zucker and Cullen/Coyle seem to be set, it's just a matter of where Nino and Ennis/Greenway play. I wouldn't mind 11 FWD/7D lineup, just double shift the rest of wings into the Cullen line. I really do think the 3rd line is where the Jets will take advantage of the Wild for their home games and last change.

As far as the D-men, it's a bring what ya got situation; Suter, Olofsson, and Spurgeon (might be back) being injured was unforeseen. Unless you'd rather have the vet Quincey instead of the rookies. Personally I'll take the chances with the rookies.

G1 could go the other way too. Wild score first and early and then the Jets are playing from behind. The Jets get too caught up in playing a physical game they put themselves out of position more than they should. Their coach panics and forgets to use line matchups in his favor. The Jets come out over-amped and can't make the simple plays. Helle could get rattled, or Dub could be lights out. Not saying any of these will happen, but they are all things that could happen; it's why they play the game.

 

[Aavco Cup]

Over/Under for:

Wild jerseys in Winnipeg: 4

And two of those will be those red Christmas jerseys

 

[Wabit]

And two of those will be those red Christmas jerseys

I couldn't stand the reds, but I liked them more than the new greens.

The reds will come from Jets fans heads exploding (it's a pickem for reasons: refs, Wild score, Jets score, nachos didn't come with enough cheese, whatever).

 

[63firebird]

W

Koivu and JEE lines are set. Staal/Zucker and Cullen/Coyle seem to be set, it's just a matter of where Nino and Ennis/Greenway play. I wouldn't mind 11 FWD/7D lineup, just double shift the rest of wings into the Cullen line. I really do think the 3rd line is where the Jets will take advantage of the Wild for their home games and last change.

As far as the D-men, it's a bring what ya got situation; Suter, Olofsson, and Spurgeon (might be back) being injured was unforeseen. Unless you'd rather have the vet Quincey instead of the rookies. Personally I'll take the chances with the rookies.

G1 could go the other way too. Wild score first and early and then the Jets are playing from behind. The Jets get too caught up in playing a physical game they put themselves out of position more than they should. Their coach panics and forgets to use line matchups in his favor. The Jets come out over-amped and can't make the simple plays. Helle could get rattled, or Dub could be lights out. Not saying any of these will happen, but they are all things that could happen; it's why they play the game.

Quincey? I sure hope not. Soucey and Seeler looked pretty good so far.
I agree the third line will be exposed by the Little line. Interesting to see matchups Wednesday.
I just hope Buf doesn’t crush Granny.

 

[Wabit]

W


Quincey? I sure hope not. Soucey and Seeler looked pretty good so far.
I agree the third line will be exposed by the Little line. Interesting to see matchups Wednesday.
I just hope Buf doesn’t crush Granny.

I'm more worried about Spurgeon getting crushed if he's not 100%. His quickness/agility help him avoid big hits, if he's lost some of that...
I agree about Quincey, but he's the only d-man left with anything more than a cup of coffee in the NHL, let alone Playoff experience.
It's not the Little line I'm worried about as much as if the Wild's 3rd line gets either of the top-6 lines.

 

[Bazeek]

I'm more worried about Spurgeon getting crushed if he's not 100%. His quickness/agility help him avoid big hits, if he's lost some of that...
I agree about Quincey, but he's the only d-man left with anything more than a cup of coffee in the NHL, let alone Playoff experience.
It's not the Little line I'm worried about as much as if the Wild's 3rd line gets either of the top-6 lines.

I'd play Loov over Quincey. I'd shift Koivu to LD over Quincey.

 

[2Pair]

I don't get all the talk and even fear of the Jets' physicality. They aren't that team anymore.

 

[Kamloops218]

We also like the pass from the goal line right beside the net to the slot. Both units use it - Stastny has been the guy just behind the net for the first unit since he arrived.

The Jets success on the PP isn't all Laine. Teams cheat towards him leaving a shot from the slot or leaving a shot for Byfuglien.

I'm looking forward to this one. I think most Jets fans are confident but I don't see a lot of sweep talk. That mostly is coming from the neutrals. I don't think any of the games this season have been when both teams are at their best and the Wild have had a great second half.

Doobs needs to play on his head for this wild type team to win 1 game! Who’s gonna answer to Buff as he will disturb the wild thangs bench for 60 minutes a night?

 

[Wabit]

Doobs needs to play on his head for this wild type team to win 1 game! Who’s gonna answer to Buff as he will disturb the wild thangs bench for 60 minutes a night?

They'll just ignore him and Buff will do too much and end up in the box for something stupid. Zucker is really good at getting guys to do that.

 

[57special]

I'm more worried about Spurgeon getting crushed if he's not 100%. His quickness/agility help him avoid big hits, if he's lost some of that...
I agree about Quincey, but he's the only d-man left with anything more than a cup of coffee in the NHL, let alone Playoff experience.
It's not the Little line I'm worried about as much as if the Wild's 3rd line gets either of the top-6 lines.

Leave it, man. Spurgeon has done nothing but prove guys like you wrong for years.

Loov? Quincey? What is this madness? Are Wild HFB'ers crumbling under the playoff pressure before the puck has even been dropped?

 

[Kamloops218]

I disagree on ignoring big Buff from Roseau. He’ll be a wrecking ball, running players. To bad we let stew go.

 

[2Pair]

I disagree on ignoring big Buff from Roseau. He’ll be a wrecking ball, running players. To bad we let stew go.

Now it's we? You're really good at this.

 

[Kamloops218]

Hope Koviu stays outta the box trying to defend Laine! Big mismatch there.

 

[Jetster231]

Good luck to you guys! Here is to an exciting series! Jets fans just want you to allow us to win one game lol.

 

[Wabit]

Leave it, man. Spurgeon has done nothing but prove guys like you wrong for years.

Loov? Quincey? What is this madness? Are Wild HFB'ers crumbling under the playoff pressure before the puck has even been dropped?

I wasn't bagging on Spurgeon at all. I was just saying that if he's not 100% I worry about him getting blown up. The same size concerns I've read on here about why Greenway should play over Ennis for this series.

My lasting memory from last year's Playoffs is Staal's injury. I don't want to see anyone get hurt is all.

 

[Wabit]

I'm kind of surprised that this series didn't get relegated to the Golf Channel. G4 of ANA/SJS and TB/NJ are both on it.

 

[NHL1674]

What's not to love!

 

[2Pair]