5 things to watch for in Game 2 between Jets and Ducks
The Winnipeg Jets dropped the first game in Anaheim 4-2 to the Ducks. It was a mixed bag of good and not-so good for the visitors, who had their moments in the club's first playoff game since moving to Winnipeg in 2011.
Now, here are five things to watch for Saturday night in Game 2:
Limit the twins
The Jets knew that coming into the series, but the team got a brutal reminder of just what the two can do as they torched Winnipeg for a combined seven points, including three third-period goals en route to gaining the upper hand in the series.
Perry led the way with four points, including two goals. Getzlaf added three points of his own, including the power-play goal that ended the Jets' hopes late in the final period.
No one expects the Jets to be able to blank the Anaheim stars, but the Little line will have to team up with Dustin Byfuglien and Ben Chiarot (judging by Game 1 usage) to manage them at even strength.
Then, it becomes a matter of staying out of the penalty box.
Special teams
Coming into the series, the Jets held the regular season edge over the Ducks on special teams.
Winnipeg posted better totals with the extra man and short-handed. Included in that was the 17th best power play in the NHL for Winnipeg and just the 28th best for the Ducks.
But while the Jets went 0-for-3 up a man in Game 1, the Ducks went 2-for-3 to tie things and pull away in the third period.
That's seven power-play goals for Anaheim in five games against Winnipeg this season.
Jets head coach Paul Maurice says you can't go back to the season series to create a trend of PP dominance for the Ducks, but that's a lot of success for a team that didn't find it against most teams.
Simply, the Jets need to avoid silly penalties, tighten up on the PK and get a few bounces.
They could also use Mathieu Perreault to kick-start their power play. Perreault skated on Friday, but the team offered no update on his status.
Big boy hockey
Both the Jets and Ducks are big teams, with Winnipeg's roster averaging six feet two inches tall and 206 pounds and the typical Anaheim player measuring six feet one inch tall and weighing 208 pounds.
That size was put to use on a very regular basis Thursday, with the teams combining for 83 hits — many of the bone-crunching variety.
Ducks boss Bruce Boudreau could see that side of the game very clearly from his spot behind the bench.
"When they're playing physical, we have to match it right away," he said after Game 1.
"If you're playing a skating team that doesn't want to hit, it's hard to get involved in that game. They play a physical game and we play a physical game."
Seems to me that maintaining a physical approach is valuable for the Jets in setting a tone and keeping the Ducks off balance, but there's a happy medium.
Quick, responsible systems play is just a key as glass-rattling checking because it takes away space and time and sets up opportunities.
Rushing to judgment
The Jets were able to create a series of odd-man rushes in the second period of game one.
After going in front 2-1 on Drew Stafford's early period goal, Anaheim pushed for possession and zone time but was vulnerable to Winnipeg's ability to create turnovers and get through the neutral zone to put some heat on Frederik Andersen in the Ducks' net.
The Jets have talked about knowing who they are, and how they play, and the importance of sticking with that.
Patient, yet aggressive, attention to detail might just produce those odd-man rushes again and they can yield difference-making scoring opportunities.
Net worth
Frederik Andersen made 25 saves to get the win in the opener, but several of his best stops were on chances he set up for the Jets with poor rebound control.
If Andersen cleans up his rebounds and continues to show that calm approach with slick lateral movement, Winnipeg is in trouble. But, if he continues to leave scraps around the blue paint, the Jets have an opening to exploit.
Meanwhile, Ondrej Pavelec posted a .897 save percentage in Game 1. Not a strong number, but the first goal went off Ben Chiarot. The second was a smartly worked power play goal. The third a result of Perry's persistence. And, the fourth was another power play goal.
Not a night where the Jets could point fingers at their goalie, but the team could sure use that Mr. Zero-like work Pavelec put on display on the road to sewing up their playoff spot because a win in Game 2 really changes things heading back to Winnipeg.
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