Gary Bettman: 'You can feel the energy' for Jets' 1st playoff game in 19 years

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman says he can feel the excitement in Winnipeg as fans gear up for the Jets' first playoff game on home ice in almost 19 years.

Bettman spoke to reporters at 6:30 p.m. CT on Monday, in advance of the 8 p.m. game between the Jets and the Anaheim Ducks at the MTS Centre.

He said he was not in Winnipeg to make any special announcements, but "just to witness what I think will be a wonderful, emotional and exciting evening. 

"I know this has been a night that has been 19 years in the making," he said. "You can feel the energy in this city. It's palpable."

Hockey fans in the Manitoba capital have been waiting 18 years, 11 months and 21 days to watch an NHL playoff game on home ice. Monday night's contest will be the first to take place in the city since the NHL returned to the city in 2011.

• 5 things to watch for in Game 3 between Jets and Ducks
• Jets fans expected to 'blow the roof off' MTS Centre for playoffs
• Don Cherry says Pavelec could make the difference for Jets

"This has always been a market that we knew was passionate about hockey," Bettman said.

He credited team co-owners Mark Chipman and David Thomson, as well as "this building and the great fans who's wanted a team in all those years and have been waiting 19 years for this playoff game — that's what it back together."

Bettman also acknowledged economic system changes as an asset to the Jets' success back in the city.

The Jets are currently trailing the Ducks 2-0 in the first round of the playoffs.

Follow our game updates by the CBC's Mitch Peacock and reporters in the field with our live blog below.

• ON MOBILE? Follow our live blog here.