Welcome to the Stanley Cup playoffs — and the highs and lows of a playoff sequence. You possibly can’t suppose it was presupposed to be simple, are you able to?
The sting of Recreation 3 of the Winnipeg Jets‘ sequence towards the Blues in St. Louis nonetheless lingers. A minimum of, a bit. However we needs to be stunned?
The 2 video games in Winnipeg had been shut. Actually shut. Successfully, the video games at Canada Life Centre had been each one-goal video games, with third-period game-winning targets. The Blues faltered at each ends of the ice within the third interval of each video games 1 and a couple of. And the Jets capitalized. St Louis was decided to not do the identical in Recreation 3.
From the Blues’ perspective, Thursday night’s game was crucial of the season. That they had no alternative however to be completely dedicated. From the Jets’ perspective, they don’t have any alternative however to study from it. From the primary minute of play, to the inconclusive video assessment, to a cringeworthy third interval, the Jets simply had been by no means concerned.
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However right here’s the factor: dropping 7-2 is ugly, for certain. However it’s just one recreation. Shedding by 5 targets doesn’t imply you lose by a couple of recreation. Let me remind you, the Jets nonetheless lead the sequence. And so they nonetheless have home-ice benefit.
Now what has to occur is somewhat easy. Sunday afternoon’s Recreation 4 has to mirror changes by the Jets: Extra our bodies in entrance of St. Louis goalie Jordan Binnington, fewer Blues in entrance of Jets counterpart Connor Hellebuyck, be able to play on the opening faceoff.
The changes don’t need to be earth-shattering. This crew is aware of the right way to win. They’ve been resilient all season lengthy.
There’s an previous adage within the NHL that you simply’re solely in bother in a sequence if you lose at dwelling. Residence-ice benefit is a actuality within the NHL. The house crew can draw vitality from a loud, concerned crowd. Actually, the Blues did that Thursday night time. The large query now’s, can the Jets drown out the noise in St Louis and create their very own optimistic vitality? And eventually put the Blues, on dwelling ice, in bother?
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