Predators at Jets
The Winnipeg Jets did not panic when they fell behind by three goals at home, and the resulting offensive breakthrough has put them in position to take control of the Western Conference semifinals entering Thursday’s Game 4 at home against the Nashville Predators. The Jets scored three times in a 2:51 span of the second period en route to a 7-4 victory in Game 3, riding two goals each from Dustin Byfuglien and Blake Wheeler to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
“Nobody panicked,” Jets defenseman Jacob Trouba told reporters in referencing a 3-0 Nashville lead after the first period, adding that Winnipeg coach Paul Maurice simply told his players during intermission to, “just go play hockey.” Winnipeg is one goal in double-overtime away from holding a 3-0 series lead while the more experienced Predators have not only lost home ice advantage for now, but also lost their composure by taking three minors in the final nine minutes Tuesday. “We stopped playing, clear as day,” Nashville defenseman Ryan Ellis told the media afterward. “You could see that, and you can’t win hockey games when you stop playing midway through the second.” Goals from Mike Fisher, P.K. Subban and Austin Watson staked the Predators to the early advantage, but Nashville only put 18 shots on goal in the final two periods and were outshot 45-30 on the night.
TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network, CBC, TVA
ABOUT THE PREDATORS: Forward Filip Forsberg tied the game in the third period at 4-4 with his fifth goal of the playoffs and added an assist Tuesday. Watson was the only Nashville player to finish with a plus rating (plus-1) and also scored his fifth goal of the postseason, while Subban scored for the second consecutive game and added an assist. The Predators were penalized five times in the final 20 minutes and goaltender Pekka Rinne, who drew a slashing penalty out of frustration with 4:29 left, made 38 saves but gave up four goals on 16 shots in the second period.
ABOUT THE JETS: Center Mark Scheifele continues to shine, picking up two assists to give him 11 points (seven goals) in his past five games. Byfuglien finished with a three-point night and has five in the series, while Wheeler and center Paul Stastny (one goal, two assists) also collected three points as Winnipeg pounded Nashville with 35 shots in the final 40 minutes. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck gave up three goals in the opening period Tuesday and has surrendered nine in the past two games, but settled down in stopping 18 of Nashville’s final 19 shots.
OVERTIME
1. Rinne, who was seventh in the NHL in save percentage (.927) in the regular season, is at .890 for the series and has surrendered 12 goals on 109 shots.
2. The Jets captured the faceoff battle for the first time in the series, winning 57 percent of their draws in Game 3.
3. Winnipeg F Brandon Tanev, who scored eight goals in 61 games in the regular season, has scored in four consecutive playoff games.