If there were ever one game you could watch that represented the entirety of the Winnipeg Jets 2017–18 campaign, Game 7 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Nashville Predators would be it. The Jets were stellar from top to bottom. Connor Hellebuyck pulled off yet another terrific outing, the Jets third and fourth line continued to be the uncontrollable force they’ve been all season, and trade deadline addition Paul Stastny clearly showcased the impact he’s had on the team. Game 7 displayed nearly every detail the Jets spent the past seven months building. And it’s thanks to these efforts that they are headed to the Conference Finals for the first time in the history of the Winnipeg Jets—something the Jets 1.0 never pulled off.
All in all, the Jets took down the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Preds 5–1 in the most important game in franchise history to date. Scheifele and Wheeler continued to display why they are arguably one of the games top offensive duos, combining for four points. As per usual, it was Scheifele scoring the goals, with Wheeler setting him up.
Though Nashville fans will likely place the blame on starting goalie Pekka Rinne (who allowed two bad goals on just seven shots and was chased just 10:47 into the first period), it was the solid positioning and anticipation of Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck that inevitably made the difference. Though he didn’t have to be as outstanding as he was in Game 1, his 36 saves on 37 shots more than reflect just how great of a performance he had.
The Jets are now set to play the first game of the Western Conference Finals in Winnipeg on Saturday night against the most incredible expansion team in league history: the Vegas Golden Knights.
On the season, the Jets were 1–1–1 against the Pacific Division leaders, and fell 5–2 against the Knights in their only game in Vegas. As continues to be the theme of Jets opponents throughout the postseason, the Knights were one of the best teams on home ice, going 29–10–2 at T-Mobile Arena.
Much like the Jets, the Knights play a high-flying, fast-paced style of game that relies on quick transition. The two teams finished top-five in goals, with the Jets finishing second (273) and the Knights placing fifth (268).
At the beginning of the season, had you told any hockey fan that the Winnipeg Jets and the Vegas Golden Knights were going to play in the Western Conference Finals, though, everyone would have thought you were insane. Yet here we are.
As we all sit and gaze at the four teams remaining in the race for Lord Stanley, one can’t ignore the importance of depth, speed, and goaltending in today’s NHL. In the Eastern Conference, the Lightning led all teams in goals, scoring 290, while their save percentage was eighth-best in the league at 91.3 percent. These elements are no secret to Jets fans, as for years it seemed they had iced a line-up capable of such a run but could never find a solid goaltender to back them. But Connor Hellebuyck took an unbelievable step forward this season, and because of this the Jets will be playing hockey throughout the month of May.
For Vegas, goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury has been the backbone to their playoff success, recording shutouts in four of his 10 starts while posting a save percentage of 95.1 percent. While a series between the Predators and Jets may have been a battle of the NHL’s two best teams, a matchup against Vegas should be even more exciting for fans who enjoy lots of goals.
A matchup against the Golden Knights may be just what the doctor ordered for forwards Nikolaj Ehlers and Patrik Laine. Despite still playing well in the series against Nashville, the two combined for just one goal, scored by Laine. Ehlers, on the other hand, continues to search for his first career playoff tally.
Vegas’ propensity to push the pace and play north-south hockey could play right into the hands of Ehlers, who is one of the league’s best players in transition. Nashville clogged the blue line against the Jets to prevent them from being able to score in transition, something the Jets seemingly did at will during the regular season. Vegas loves to stretch the ice and create as much open space as possible. But in a matchup against a team as talented as the Jets, this could backfire.
However, no one should bet against Vegas, and I certainly won’t be the one to do it, as time and time again they’ve overcome expectations.
It very well could be one of those series where we see, quite simply, who can score the most goals—though the Jets have a stronger defensive core than the Knights and should try and slow them down in transition. Especially when in Vegas.
