Wild game in Nashville as the Jets scored twice in the first 10 minutes and 37 seconds to chase Pekka Rinne. PK Subban got a power play goal to make it a 2-1 game but the Preds looked off and the Jets were looking strong. The middle frame continued well for Winnipeg with Mark Scheifele scoring his 10th goal of the playoffs to give the Jets a 3-1 lead. In the 3rd period Paul Stastny scored his second of the game on the power play to essentially seal the deal and then Mark Scheifele also got his second of the game, this time into an empty net made it a 5-1 lead. It was his 11th goal of the playoffs which gives him sole possession of first spot in the NHL goal scoring race in the playoffs.
Connor Hellebuyck was excellent in the win.
And the Jets have accomplished something no NHL team in this city has ever done as they punch their ticket to the Western Conference Finals. Game 1 is Saturday night in Winnipeg.
Take a look at the advanced stats via Natural Stat Trick.
Numbers:
– Paul Stastny had 2G 1A;
– Mark Scheifele had 2G
– Kyle Connor had 2A;
– Blake Wheeler had 2A.
Jets audio:
Blake Wheeler
Paul Stastny
Connor Hellebuyck
Coach Maurice: What let his team have such a fast start? On the lack of playoff experience narrative. Did both teams start tight and what did the Myers goal do? On the Scheifele goal that made it 3-1, Wheeler blocking the shot to start off the play. On the benefit of Paul Stastny in the lineup. What did the Adam Lowry line mean for them tonight? What did he flip flop Tanev and Armia? Winnipeg-Vegas Final. On being stoic behind the bench but giving a fist pump after Stastny’s goal. Did the series live up to the hype? On Hellebuyck’s journey. Did he see anything during the day that indicated he would get this type of performance from the team? Anything to be taken from the regular season against the Golden Knights?
Preds audio:
Fillip Forsberg
Ryan Ellis
Roman Josi
PK Subban
Pekka Rinne
Audio courtesy of TSN 1290 Winnipeg.
