Predators at Jets
The Winnipeg Jets were agonizingly close to winning the first two games of the Western Conference semifinals on the road, but nonetheless host the Nashville Predators in Tuesday’s Game 3 having swiped home-ice advantage. Now the Jets have to find a way to bounce back less than 48 hours after a grueling 5-4 double-overtime loss, one in which Nashville’s playoff experience gained during last year’s run to the Stanley Cup Finals shined through in sudden death.
“One of the things we talk about a lot is just really enjoying and embracing the opportunity,” Winnipeg defenseman Josh Morrissey - one of eight Jets who experienced their first NHL playoff overtime loss Sunday - told reporters after Monday’s optional skate. “It’s the best time of the year, it’s the most fun hockey you’ll get to play.” Nashville was far more aggressive in front of Winnipeg’s crease in Game 2, and while it paid off, the Predators nonetheless had to play an extra 25 minutes after Mark Scheifele tied the game for the Jets with 1:05 left in regulation. “That’s hockey for you,” Nashville center Ryan Johansen told the media after scoring twice in the 100th playoff game in Predators history. “The ups and downs and adversity. You have to fight through and all that matters is we won (Sunday) and the series is 1-1.” Nashville forward Kevin Fiala, who netted the Predators’ lone tally in a 4-1 Game 1 loss, scored the overtime winner Sunday.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, CNBC, CBC, TVA Sports
ABOUT THE PREDATORS: Goaltender Pekka Rinne bounced back from being pulled after the first two periods of Game 1, setting a playoff career high with 46 saves. Nashville’s top line was outstanding in finishing a combined plus-6, as Johansen posted his first playoff multi-goal game, forward Filip Forsberg collected three assists and forward Viktor Arvidsson finished with three points. Defenseman Ryan Ellis recorded an assist for the third consecutive game, while defenseman P.K. Subban scored his first goal of the postseason and finished with two points in 39:24 of ice time.
ABOUT THE JETS: Winnipeg accelerated the offensive pressure two nights after recording only 19 shots in Game 1, putting 50 shots on goal as Scheifele led the way again with a three-point night (including his sixth and seventh goals in his past four games, giving him a league-leading eight in the postseason). Defenseman Dustin Byfuglien finished with one goal and one assist, four blocked shots and six shots on goal in a team-high 35:27 of ice time. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who made 47 saves in the opener, allowed Johansen’s first goal 27 seconds into the contest but played well despite the four goals allowed, making 36 saves.
OVERTIME
1. Winnipeg has blocked 56 shots in the series, led by D Jacob Trouba’s 10.
2. The Predators have dominated the faceoff circle through two games, winning 63 percent of draws.
3. The Jets have won 12 straight at home since a 6-5 loss to the Predators on Feb. 27.