5 things to watch for in Game 4 between Jets and Ducks
It's been said a team is never really in trouble in a playoff series until it loses at home. Well the Jets have lost at home and twice on the road. They're in trouble.
Game Four is a must win or the season is over.
With that threatening backdrop in mind, here are five things to watch for in game four.
Balanced Buff
There is no doubt Dustin Byfuglien was out of sorts yesterday. The big man put up a wall with the media offering a stream of nothingness in his answers through a series of replies that can be summed up by "we're a team, as long as we stick together we'll be alright."
The veteran defenceman was a minus three, and took a senseless penalty when he slammed Corey Perry to the ice after the Ducks took a 2-1 second period lead. So, there was reason to be unhappy on a personal level and a team level.
I'll leave judgment on Dustin's approach to coping with his feelings up to you, but one thing is for sure. The Jets have a much better chance of extending the series if Byfuglien can get his approach right and let his talents come out.
Let's see if the all-star in him comes out when it matters most.
Holding out for a hero
The Jets were much better in game three than in game two, and had a lot to feel good about Monday night despite the loss.
The Jets also came back from 2-1 down to take a 4-3 lead to the dressing room after 40 minutes. But, in the end they were undone by another Anaheim comeback.
The Ducks are winning because they're getting a more complete team game. Two superstars, a solid supporting cast, and goaltending that's coming up with the extra save.
When those elements come together it seems there's a different hero every night. Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf in the opener, Jakob Silfverberg in game two, and the still fresh Monday gem from Ryan Kesler as he basked in the MTS Centre love of repeated chants of "Kesler sucks!"
It's up to the Jets to make sure they provide the hero Wednesday.
Pavy! Pavy! Pavy!
That's a chant the Jets want to hear tonight.
Ondrej Pavelec isn't the reason the Jets are down three games to none, but he could be the reason they go back to Anaheim for game five.
Winnipeg has the poorest goals-against average of all the playoff teams at 3.67, and Pavelec's save percentage is a low .893.
Ondrej, with a little help from his friends, needs to find a way to give up one less than Frederik Andersen before it's too late.
Nothing to lose
The Jets created more offence in game three outshooting the Ducks for the first time in the series, and scoring four goals (one more than games one and two combined).
That production stemmed from an adjustment in their approach and a revealed a confidence with the puck they hadn't shown in the first two games.
Tuesday, Blake Wheeler admitted there's a tightness/tension within the team. The guys want to much to do well that they could be limiting themselves.
That hint of confidence from Monday, combined with the reality of being all but out of it, might just be enough to relax the team.
Not relax in a sloppy way, but loosen them enough to produce their most complete game of the series.
Whiteout standing
Monday NHL playoff hockey returned to Winnipeg for the first time in 19 years and Jets' fans made the night unforgettable with their passionate show of unity – a spectacular, emotional Whiteout.
Wednesday doesn't offer that unique moment in local history, but it is another chance to enjoy the way the Jets bring the city/province together and those chances aren't guaranteed from one season to the next.
Enjoy the night, and who knows you might just witness the first Stanley Cup playoff win in franchise history!