Winnipeg Free Press https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/jets/jets-doing-their-best-to-forget- 481312533.html

Jets doing their best to forget Double-overtime dagger hurt but team happy to be home with split

By: Jason Bell

The late-night flight home and a restless sleep, video work with coaches and some kibitzing with teammates pretty much summed up the 16 hours that followed the Jets’ most crushing loss of the year.

All signs Monday afternoon, however, suggested the torment of a double-overtime defeat had dulled considerably.

"Something we talked about (Sunday) night, we’re all disappointed to lose in a game in double overtime. It’s tough, but you have to park it right away, as soon as you get on the plane and come back home here," said defenceman Josh Morrissey, who spoke with reporters at Bell MTS Place.

"We’re pretty happy that we’re coming home with a split. Obviously, we’re disappointed (Sunday) night but I think we’re in a pretty good spot. I just feel we can be a little bit better each game. That game, Game 2, was a big improvement from Game 1 as far as we were concerned. If we can continue to do that, we’re happy with the position we’re in."

Nashville forward Kevin Fiala put a sudden halt to a 4-4 tie Sunday night with his third of the playoffs, lifting the Predators to a dramatic triumph over the visiting Jets.

'It's tough, but you have to park it right away, as soon as you get on the plane and come back home here' — Josh Morrissey

The NHL’s premier squads during the regular season are locked up 1-1 in the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series. Game 3 is set for 7 p.m at Winnipeg’s downtown arena, as inhospitable a site as anywhere in the NHL. The Jets went 32-7-2 at Bell MTS Place this season, best in the NHL.

Predictably, only a modest group of Winnipeg players chose to participate in an optional on-ice workout the morning after what was, for the majority of Jets, the longest game of their pro careers. Fiala’s backhand past goalie Connor Hellebuyck sent the crowd into hysterics at 5:37 of the second OT session.

Mark Scheifele’s second goal of the contest, his league-leading eighth of the postseason with 65 seconds left in regulation and Hellebuyck on the bench in favour of an extra skater, pulled the Jets even at 4-4.

Soaring home from Music City at midnight with a 2-0 series lead on the Presidents’ Trophy winners (the NHL team with the best regular-season record) in Round 2 would have been a dazzling scenario for the Jets, just a year removed from missing the playoffs entirely.

"The split’s a fact. That’s your minimum goal going into your first two, you want to make sure that you get a win to get the game back onto your ice," said . "But when you get into double overtime, you certainly want two at that point. So, you’re still feeling the pain for it. You just have to deal with it today so it’s not a part of your tomorrow."

Settling for a win in Game 1 and nabbing home-ice advantage is a radiant silver lining.

The Jets are on a 12-0 run at Bell MTS Place, including a three-game sweep of their home games against the in the opening round.

Hellebuyck said the deafening din created by thousands of white-clad fans inside the building — not to mention thousands more jammed in at a downtown street party — is like a not-so-secret weapon.

"We’re going to be calling out to our fans to really put the pressure on, because we have that ability here. Our fan base is awesome, our noise can carry some serious momentum," he said.

"I wasn’t fazed as much as I thought I would (in Nashville). Obviously, the atmosphere is awesome, a little bit crazy. But I like ours a lot more. I think ours is way more hockey related and a lot more stinging than theirs was. I’m looking forward to (Game 3) and seeing how much this amps up."

Hellebuyck will start his eighth straight of the postseason tonight. He was absolutely sensational in Friday’s 4-1 triumph, stopping 47 shots.

Two nights later he made 36 saves and nearly snared the shot off Fiala’s stick.

"Would you believe me if I said 99 per cent? It was practically in my glove, it just happened to roll up and over," said Hellebuyck.

A finalist — along with Rinne and Tampa Bay Lighting puck-stopper Andrei Vasilevskiy — for the Vezina Trophy as the league’s top goalie, Hellebuyck said he’s feeding off the pressure of playoff hockey and the added strain of overtime.

"I think that’s what we enjoy — all on the line, get those nerves going and you have a chance to be a hero. That’s what everyone likes. We have a huge fan base, a lot of eyes on us and if you don’t enjoy that you’re in the wrong sport. We’re here to have some fun, too." https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/jets/predators-arent-afraid-to-enter-whiteout- tonight-481310703.html

Predators aren't afraid to enter whiteout tonight

By: Jason Bell

WHILE the like their chances at home, the demonstrated no signs of being intimidated on the road all season long.

The Predators racked up an impressive 25-9-7 record living out of hotels and getting mocked by opposing fans during the 2017-18 campaign.

Nashville is also the last squad that toppled the Jets at Bell MTS Place, earning a 6-5 win on Feb. 27. Winnipeg has won 12 straight at home since then.

The Jets and Preds collide tonight at 7 p.m. in Game 3 of their second-round NHL playoff series. Nashville evened the series 1-1 with a 5-4 double-overtime victory Sunday.

Predators forward Nick Bonino told reporters there’s no great secret to the club’s road success.

"Getting on the road is always fun as a team. You go out to dinner, there’s not really any distractions. You’re there for hockey. You get up and treated it as business as usual," said Bonino, who centres an effective trio of Austin Watgson and Colton Sissons. The line has registered nine goals and 10 assists in eight games.

Nashville upended the in six games in Round 1.

"We kind of just roll the lines. We’ve got four lines that can really go and don’t worry about matchups or anything, we just play had have some good results," he said.

Bonino said he barely remembers the narrow victory over the Jets in late February but gets pumped up playing in the capital.

"It’s a really fun arena to play in. They got the whiteout going. They’re loud. It’s always fun to play in front of fans like that. It’s just like Nashville, it’s a loud arena with passionate fans," he said. "We’ve been to a lot of buildings that loud, but these are two of the loudest I think in the league. They wanted the team back in Winnipeg. They got it back and they have a great team now so the fans are pumped up and ready to go." ______

A trio of Jets nursing injuries participated in an optional morning skate Monday morning at Bell MTS Place.

Dmitry Kulikov, out since early March with a back injury, took part in his first skate with the group and wore a yellow ‘no-contact’ jersey but likely won’t be available to the club for another couple of weeks.

Veteran forward Mathieu Perreault (upper body), injured in Game 1 of the first-round series with the Minnesota Wild, and winger Joel Armia (upper body), hurt in Game 5 of the Wild series, also skated. Perreault wore a regular jersey, while Armia sported yellow.

But getting head coach Paul Maurice to so much as hint at their status of was an exercise in futility during his press availability Monday.

"That’s a really good way to put it. I think that sums it right up. That’s probably what I would have said exactly," said Maurice, his wit coming out in full force when he was asked if Perreault would be good to go at "some point in the future?" ______

Most of the Jets chose to recover from the protracted contest and late-night flight home by staying off their skates today.

Jacob Trouba said it was, indeed, a day to recover, physically and mentally.

"It’s pretty much personal. Everybody’s different, I guess. You just do what you’ve got to do to be ready for (tonight), whether it’s skating or doing whatever you got to do off the ice to feel good. It’s kind of a recovery, rejuvenation kind of thing..." he said.

"You hope that there’s a pretty good reward at the end and these are the things you’ve got to go through and the days you’ve got to battle through and do what you got to do today and get ready for tomorrow." ______

Kyle Connor had 31 tallies, the most of any NHL rookie during the regular season. Two of those sealed overtime victories for the Jets.

Seven games into his first taste of playoff hockey, he’s yet to light the lamp. The 21-year-old winger busted toward goalie Pekka Rinne early in the first overtime period but couldn’t connect.

Was he kicking himself over the missed opportunity after Kevin Fiala ended it for Nashville?

"Yeah. You play back a couple of chances throughout the whole game that you had. At the end of the day though you kind of turn the page after. You think about it, evaluate the game, what you can do better and then after that you look to the next game," he said.

Connor has three helpers playing alongside red-hot , who has eight goals in the playoffs. But the youngster was a team-worst minus-three in Game 2.

Maurice said it’s difficult to nitpick when the trio is producing.

"I’ll fire out a bunch of clichés at you, that it’s a team-sport concept. But (we) evaluate the group almost as the line. So, Connor hasn’t scored but Mark Scheifele clearly has," he said.

Scheifele had 23 goals and 37 — exactly a point-a-game player — in 60 games during a regular season cut short by injuries.

Maurice said the Jets’ top centre is a bona fide sniper in playmaker’s clothing.

"I think if Mark got selfish in his game, and I’m not encouraging him to do it, but I think he’s a 30 to 50-goal scorer. He’s got that kind of shot. We totally leave him alone in terms of his decisions with what he does on the offensive side of the puck, but he seems to have shifted now in some of the situations to be a shooter, too," he said.

"Mark is still a young man. He’s driving an NHL team offensively right now." https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/jets/country-music-kinda-ending- 481300933.html?k=4aAdZZ

Country-music kinda ending Hendricks, slowly moves the blame over to Enstrom... he pushes it over to Copp... give and go to Roslovic... Byfuglien winds up... Jets lose!

By: Mike McIntyre

The Winnipeg Jets and Nashville Predators have combined for 55 goals against each other this season, including 14 through the first two games of their playoff series.

But none have been debated or dissected quite like Kevin Fiala’s double-overtime winner Sunday night.

And for good reason. It was a massive tally to get the Predators right back in the series after dropping Game 1 on home ice. And it certainly stung for the Jets, who were staring a golden opportunity in the face. After all, teams that win the first two of a best-of-seven go on to win 88 per cent of those series.

So with that in mind, let’s go back to Bridgestone Arena to analyze what went wrong, with the help of countless reviews of the video replays in super slow-motion.

The fans in Nashville have this thing where they ridicule the opposing goalie every time he’s scored on by chanting his name and then adding "You suck. It’s all your fault."

Well, we can safely conclude Fiala’s highlight-reel snipe was most certainly not Connor Hellebuyck’s fault. In fact, the Vezina Trophy candidate came very close to making what would have been a miraculous game-saving grab.

So who is to blame?

Well, for starters, veteran Matt Hendricks had a tough end to his shift. A tough night, actually. He took a goalie interference in the first period, and his cross-checking penalty in the second negated an Andrew Copp goal.

On this critical play, he’s right in the middle of the action when the puck gets turned over in Nashville territory but is still somewhat up for grabs.

At this point, Hendricks decides to leave the offensive zone and go for a change. Not a critical error, sure, but possession is pivotal in sudden-death and the Jets had the puck, then lost it and never got it back. Hendricks removing himself from the battle right there didn't help matters.

But it may actually be his line change that was even more costly. Hendricks, tired after a shift and not the fastest skater to begin with, takes considerable time to get to the bench. Rookie Kyle Connor is waiting to jump on but is also slow to react, which turns out to be important given what’s happening across the ice.

Which brings us to Toby Enstrom, who many may want to tag as the scapegoat here. We’re not so sure about that.

Yes, Enstrom makes what might be considered a risky pinch in an attempt to get to a loose puck along the wall in the offensive zone. But it’s a play he’s almost expected to make and one that likely would have been fine if not for the mistakes that followed.

As a result, partner Dustin Byfuglien, no stranger to wandering himself but in fine position here, is left all by himself.

With Enstrom up in the play and stationary on the boards, he gets bunched up with Copp and rookie winger Jack Roslovic. Which is where the real trouble begins.

Copp is over there giving some additional support. He accidentally clips Kyle Turris in an attempt to get the bouncing puck, but gets caught looking as Turris knocks the puck a few feet ahead while falling.

Enter Roslovic, who pinches as well, trying to get the pesky puck rather than make the safe play and retreat to cover for Enstrom.

Turris manages to quickly get up and poke it past Roslovic and onto the stick of teammate Craig Smith. Roslovic then rubs Turris out along the boards, further taking himself out of the play.

You now have three Jets all within arm’s reach of each other in Enstrom, Copp and Roslovic. Byfuglien is the only man back; Hendricks is still making his way to the bench on the far side.

That’s less than ideal.

Compounding all of this is the fact Nashville executes perfectly; Smith and Fiala are off to the races with a two-on-one.

Roslovic is trapped up the ice. Copp is flat-footed, as well. Connor is finally hopping over the boards. And Enstrom, try as he might, can’t get back in time. Although his stick almost breaks up the play.

Byfuglien doesn’t really commit to either Smith or Fiala, which is ideally what you want your defenceman to do there. Force the Predators into making a quick decision, which helps your goalie focus on what’s likely coming.

Instead, No. 33 stays in the middle and then hits the deck trying to intercept Smith’s pass, which is a beauty. Right onto the tape of Fiala, who cuts back across Hellebuyck in fantastic move to open him up. His shot just sneaks by the outstretched glove.

Game over. Series tied.

You can’t blame Hellebuyck. But Byfuglien needs to play that better. Roslovic and Copp have to make smarter reads with Enstrom pinching. Hendricks has to be quicker on that line change. And Connor has to be faster off the bench, as he might have been able to get into position to help Byfuglien break things up.

"I’m not picking on those five guys. I’ve got no problem in them holding the line in that situation. Just got to win it," Paul Maurice told reporters following his team's practice back in Winnipeg Monday.

Speaking of Maurice... that brings us to the final point.

Where does the head coach fit in all of this? After all, should that Copp-Hendricks-Roslovic fourth line have even been out there to begin with?

That trio saw plenty of ice in the extra frames. Which was surprising; as the road team the Jets don’t get last change and are susceptible to shrewd line-matching by Nashville head coach .

And that’s exactly what happened. Laviolette wisely got his talented second line out and they took full advantage.

Following the game, Maurice was asked about the fact he hadn’t shortened his bench in overtime.

"At the end we ran a number of lines harder than you normally would in the last 10 minutes of the third, so by the time we got in the second overtime, we were rolling everybody," he explained.

Indeed, Maurice did lean heavily on his top three lines during the third period with the Jets chasing the game looking for the equalizer, which they got in the form of a Mark Scheifele goal with 1:05 to play and Hellebuyck on the bench.

But overtime was more of an "all hands on deck" approach.

There's clearly plenty of blame to go around. And in the playoffs everything becomes magnified.

Will this prove to be a turning point in a series where the league’s two best regular-season teams, closely matched on seemingly every level, are battling for the right to make the Western Conference final?

Time will tell. https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/manitoba-moose/moose-moving-on-after- game-5-win-over-griffins-481319413.html

Moose moving on after game 5 win over Griffins

By: Jeff Hamilton

Cameron Schilling scored with 13 seconds remaining in the second period to break a 1-1 tie, and the scored three more times in the third to roll over the Grand Rapids Griffins 5-1, in the deciding Game 5 Monday night at Van Andel Arena.

With the win, the Moose clinched the best-of-five battle and earned their first playoff-series victory in three years since returning to Winnipeg. As for the Griffins, the loss ends their bid to repeat as champions after going the distance in 2017, claiming the title in six games over the Syracuse Crunch.

"I’m extremely proud of the guys, they worked extremely hard," said Moose head coach , in a phone interview with the Free Press.

"When you enter a series you’re going to face a good team and for our guys to run their routes and play the way that they did, to stick to the plan and stay composed, playing for each other – all those important details that you’re trying to build throughout a year – winning a series goes a long way."

Manitoba will now move on to the Central Division finals, where they will play the Rockford IceHogs. The IceHogs should be a rested group after taking a much faster – and somewhat surprising – route to the second round, sweeping the Chicago Wolves, the Central Division’s No. 1 seed, in three straight games.

"That’s a very good team, one that can make a lot of plays and has speed," added Vincent. "They’re really skilled so we’ll have to be really sharp."

Manitoba will host the first two games of the best-of-seven series, which begins on Friday at Bell MTS Place. Puck drop is 7 p.m. Game 2 is scheduled for Saturday, with a 4 p.m. start time.

After splitting the first two games at home, the Moose travelled to Grand Rapids to play out the remaining three games. Holding a 2-1 edge heading into Game 4 Thursday, Manitoba was unable to wrap up the series, falling 3-0 to the Griffins to even things at two games apiece. That set up a winner-takes-all scenario Monday, creating an unusual three-day break between games.

"The break was welcomed," said Vincent. "The fact that we have a tight group, and for us to be on the road – we had a lot of success this year on the road – we felt comfortable and it only brought us more together."

Manitoba seemed refreshed once they finally returned to the ice, taking an early lead before dominating in the final frame with goals from Mike Sgarbossa, Brendan Lemieux and Chase De Leo, who sealed it with an empty-netter with 3:29 remaining.

Lemieux finished the game with a team-high three points, collecting a pair of assists on a Patrice Cormier goal that opened the scoring 1:49 into the game and another on Schilling’s game-winner late in the second. Robinson (two assists), Schilling (one goal, one assist), and Sgarbossa (one goal, one assist) all finished with multi-point efforts.

Matt Puempel scored the lone goal for the Griffins, who dropped two games at home this series after going a perfect 10-0 last season. His first of the playoffs came on the power play, tying the game at 1-1 before the midway mark of the first.

Eric Comrie, who has started in net in all five games this series, turned aside 34 of 35 shots for Manitoba. The Griffins’ Jared Coreau allowed four goals on 29 shots in the loss.

"We lost Game 4 but I thought we played extremely well. I thought we were in control of our emotions and we were running our routes pretty fast, pretty good and we just missed a lot of chances," said Vincent. "The different between the last game and this one was just we finished around the net. I thought we played extremely disciplined; it was a hard series, especially the physical part of it."

Winnipeg Sun http://winnipegsun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/winnipeg-jets/turning-the-pagejets-need-more- balancehellebuyck-not-fazed-by-hecklers

Turning the page…Jets need more balance…Hellebuyck not fazed by hecklers

By Ken Wiebe

This is not the time of year for hanging your head or spending too much time lamenting what might have been.

That was the overriding message from members of the Winnipeg Jets after they returned home following a 5-4 double overtime loss to the Nashville Predators that turned the series into a best- of-five.

“I don’t think it’ll be tough to rebound from,” said Jets defenceman . “You’ve got to have a short memory in these series, they’re long series. I don’t think we got too high after a win, I don’t think we’re going to get too low after that loss. We liked that game better than our Game 1 game. We just come back (Tuesday_ ready to play.”

Game 3 goes Tuesday at 7 p.m. CT, with Game 4 scheduled for Thursday just after 8:30 p.m. CT at Bell MTS Place.

The NHL also confirmed the time for Game 5, which is also 8:30 p.m. CT.

With the benefit of hindsight, earning a split on the road against the top team in the NHL leaves the Jets in a pretty good position.

“We’re all disappointed to lose in a game in double overtime,” said Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey. “It’s tough, but you have to park it right away, as soon as you get on the plane. We’re pretty happy that we’re coming home with a split. Obviously, we’re disappointed last night but I think we’re in a pretty good spot. I just feel we can get like we can get a little bit better each game. That game, Game 2, was a big improvement from Game 1 as far as we were concerned. If we can continue to do that, we’re happy with the position we’re in.”

The Jets had the best home record in the NHL during the regular season, while the Predators were the top road team.

The Predators are actually the last team to beat the Jets at home – and that came on Feb. 27, when Nashville rallied for three goals in the third period in a 6-5 victory.

That’s a span of 12 games, nine in the regular season and three more in the playoffs.

During the opening round, the Jets outscored the Wild 12-3 on home ice.

Goals wanted It’s not like the Jets aren’t scoring enough, but there are several players who are looking to get onto the board and several others who haven’t been producing at their normal rate.

Obviously goals are tougher to come by at this time of year, but the Jets have counted on a balanced attack throughout the course of this season and that’s a critical component come playoff time.

Of the eight goals scored by the Jets so far, four of them have been scored by top-line centre Mark Scheifele, while Brandon Tanev has two and Paul Stastny and Dustin Byfuglien each have a goal apiece.

Kyle Connor and combined for 60 goals during the regular season, but neither player has found the back of the net in seven playoff games – though each player has contributed three assists.

Connor had four shots on goal and five shot attempts in Game 2.

“You play back a couple of chances throughout the whole game that you had,” said Connor. “At the end of the day though you kind of turn the page after. You think about it, evaluate the game, what you can do better and then after that you look to the next game.”

Scheifele isn’t worried about the limited offensive production for Connor.

“In playoffs, it’s not about goals, it’s not about points, it’s about getting wins and he’s been awesome for us,” said Scheifele. “He’s going continue to get his chances, he’s going to continue to create chances. The biggest thing for our line is playing a full 200-foot game. That’s how we create offence, that’s how we get a good feeling on our line and we know that always has to be our focus.”

Ehlers had three shots on goal and nine shot attempts in Game 2 and has now gone eight games without scoring.

So close Although Predators left-winger Kevin Fiala caught Connor Hellebuyck going the other way on his deke for the double overtime winner, it was almost another highlight-reel save for the Jets netminder.

“Would you believe me if I said 99%?” said Hellebuyck. “It was practically in my glove, it just happened to roll up and over.”

Hellebuyck was asked about the hostile environment and the boisterous chants that were directed at him (and other goalies) at Bridgestone Arena.

“I wasn’t fazed as much as I thought I would there,” said Hellebuyck. “Obviously, the atmosphere is awesome, a little bit crazy. But I like ours a lot more. I think ours is way more hockey related and a lot more stinging than theirs was. I’m looking forward to (Tuesday) and seeing how much this amps up.

“We’re going to be calling out to our fans to really put the pressure on, because we have that ability here. Our fan base is awesome, our noise can carry some serious momentum.”

Injury update (sort of) There were a few minor developments coming out of Monday’s optional skate in Winnipeg.

Jets left-winger Mathieu Perreault got rid of his non-contact jersey for a regular one, which means he’s moved a step closer to returning to the lineup for the first time since suffering a suspected shoulder injury in Game 1 against the Minnesota Wild.

Is he a possibility for Game 3?

“Sure, everybody is possible,” said Jets head coach Paul Maurice. “You might play if you keep asking those sweet questions.”

Jets defenceman Dmitry Kulikov (back) and right-winger Joel Armia (upper body) were on the ice in a non-contact jersey, but there is no timetable for either of their respective returns.

“Until they get out of (non-contact jerseys), they’re not players for us,” said Maurice. http://winnipegsun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/winnipeg-jets/defence-doesnt-rest-active-blue-lines- for-jets-and-preds-are-keeping-busy

Defence doesn’t rest: Active blue lines for Jets and Preds are keeping busy

By Ken Wiebe

Forgive the Sesame Street reference, but today’s lesson is brought to you by the letter D.

Through the first two games of the second-round series between the Winnipeg Jets and Nashville Predators, D has been for difference-maker and for the most part, dependable.

Yes, there have been mistakes made by the defence – Jets blue-liner Ben Chiarot made an aggressive pinch on the Predators third goal on Sunday and Toby Enstrom got caught inside the offensive blue line on the double overtime winner by Kevin Fiala – but for the most part, the top four on both teams have been logging major minutes and the respective defence corps are making a major contribution.

Not surprisingly, Jets defenceman Dustin Byfuglien and Predators blue-liner P.K. Subban have been a driving force for their respective teams.

In Sunday’s 5-4 loss, Byfuglien had a goal and an assist and had a team-high 35:27 of ice time, finishing with six shots on goal, nine shot-attempts, three hits and four blocked shots.

“He’s just a big, powerful man. He got us back going,” Jets head coach Paul Maurice said after Game 2. “He’s such a force out there.”

Subban was also a force in the contest, playing 36 seconds shy of two full periods, delivering a power-play goal and an assist and generating six shots on goal, 10 shot attempts, four hits and three blocked shots.

Subban also had five giveaways and was unable to prevent Jets centre Mark Scheifele from scoring the tying goal with 65 seconds left in regulation time.

But there was obviously much more good than bad when it comes to Subban’s game.

Obviously with the game going an extra 25 minutes and 37 seconds with double overtime, the ice time numbers were a little bit skewed, but there were seven blue-liners who logged more than 30 minutes on Sunday, while Toby Enstrom was just shy of 26 and Tyler Myers of the Jets was just under 25.

Both clubs rely heavily on the top two pairings.

As for Myers, he’s part of both the second power play unit and the penalty kill, so he’s not a typical third-pairing guy and his ice time reflects that.

When you have two gifted offensive teams like the Jets and Predators, even the most dedicated commitment to defensive play isn’t enough.

And this isn’t about pointing the finger at either Chiarot or Enstrom for their roles in the aforementioned goals against.

Predators forward Viktor Arvidsson scored on a slapshot after Chiarot took the body at the defensive blue line on Filip Forsberg, but the Jets were on a line change and that’s part of the reason there was no support behind him.

And on the double overtime winner, Enstrom was tied up with Predators forward Craig Smith, but had support along the wall behind him from both Andrew Copp and Jack Roslovic.

Predators centre Kyle Turris won the battle with Roslovic along the wall and moved the puck forward as Smith beat Enstrom up the ice to create the two-on-one rush with Fiala.

Enstrom hustled back but couldn’t catch Fiala and Smith made a perfect pass right as Byfuglien went to the ice to try and break up the play.

On Monday afternoon, Maurice was asked if his blue-liners have the green light to pinch in that situation.

“The play away from that scrum at the line is what got us into that scrum. I’m not picking on those five guys,” said Maurice. “I’ve got no problem in them holding the line in that situation.”

The reason for that position from Maurice is simple – the Jets have active blue-liners

Along with responsible forwards who are often in position to cover up in the case of a situation where a defenceman gets caught.

Sometimes, there’s a breakdown even when the safety valves are in place.

For the Jets, that was the difference between losing Game 2 in double overtime and having the opportunity to continue pressing for the game winner.

“Jumping in with both feet, that’s what we talked about going into the overtime. There’s no sense in being hesitant,” said Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey. “If you’re going to lose the game, lose the game feeling like you threw it all at them and they just happened to score. That’s really the mentality we were trying to have.” http://winnipegsun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/winnipeg-jets/even-with-double-overtime-loss-jets-get- an-important-learning-experience

Even with double overtime loss, Jets get an important learning experience

By Ted Wyman

NASHVILLE — The Winnipeg Jets did not win Sunday night but they experienced another first in a season full of them.

The Jets played into double overtime before finally succumbing to the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena. They came from behind three times just to get to the extra frame.

For a team full of young players who are just dipping their feet into the playoff pool for the first time, this one will go down as a life lesson under the heading “sink or swim.”

“It’s an important process for us to go through having lost an overtime game,” Jets coach Paul Maurice said. “It’s something we had to deal with at some point.”

The Jets want to go deep into the playoffs, perhaps even win the , and do it again in the years to come. There will be games like Friday’s epic battle along the way and now the Jets can at least say they’ve tested the turbulent waters of a lengthy NHL playoff overtime.

Despite a disappointing loss, there were so many real, positive takeaways for the Jets, not the least of which was their resolve. After giving up a goal 27 seconds into the game, the Jets tied it, took the lead, fell behind, tied it again, fell behind again and tied it again on Mark Scheifele’s second goal of the game with 1:05 left in the third period.

“We had a lot of pushback for a youthful team that we have,” veteran centre Matt Hendricks said. “We’ve got 21-year-olds saying the right things in the room and then going out and doing the best they can do on the ice. That’s all you can ask for.”

The Predators had the better chances in the extra periods and finally capitalized 5:37 into double overtime when Kevin Fiala scored on a two-on-one.

It was veteran defenceman Toby Enstrom who got caught pinching, so the Jets couldn’t blame their youthfulness for the mistake that led to the game-winning goal.

So what did they learn, first and foremost?

“That we’re never out of a hockey game,” Hendricks said. “We’ve gone through this lesson a few times during the regular season where we had to pull the goalie to get the extra attacker and we’ve come through.”

The greedy side of the Jets would have loved to come home with a delicious 2-0 lead in the series, especially when they haven’t lost there in 12 games.

But being tied 1-1 is a good thing for the same reasons. The Jets now have home-ice advantage in what has become a best-of-five series and Bell MTS Place, along with the surrounding area, is sure to be a zoo once again.

Now, it should be pointed out that the last time the Jets lost a home game, it was a 6-5 decision to the Predators on Feb. 27, in which they gave up three goals in the final nine minutes to blow a lead.

That was more than two months ago and that game was a lesson too. The Jets learned a lot from it.

They beat the Preds the next time they played and topped them again in Game 1 of this second-round series on Friday.

As a group, they’re learning how to not get caught up in the highs and lows of playoff hockey, embracing the grind, accepting that it’s more about overall play than personal stats.

To that end, you might point to three of the Jets young stars and question their contribution to the series.

Between Patrik Laine, Kyle Connor and Nikolaj Ehlers, who combined for 104 goals during the regular season, they have two goals in the playoffs.

That’s one less than grinder Brandon Tanev has all by himself.

Laine does have six points in seven games and has generated 24 shots on goal, but he doesn’t seem to have the usual quickness on his release and many are wondering if he is labouring due to an injury.

Ehlers and Connor seem to have no confidence around the net, though each player has three assists. Ehlers used his speed to generate a rebound goal by Paul Stastny in Game 1 and Connor, who seems to be having a hard time finding the strength to get into the greasy areas, has contributed to Scheifele leading the league in playoff goals with eight.

So far, the real drivers of this series have been the veterans, particularly Scheifele, , defenceman Dustin Byfuglien and goaltender Connor Hellebuyck.

Actually, Hellebuyck isn’t really a veteran, with only two seasons under his belt, but he sure plays like one.

Defenceman Josh Morrissey, who is just 23, has been rock solid, while rookie Jack Roslovic has mostly been a non-factor while playing on an oddball fourth line with Hendricks and Andrew Copp.

The Jets should be close to getting another veteran back in forward Mathieu Perreault, who has been out for six games, which should help restore some of the balance to their lines.

As this series shift to Winnipeg and the whiteout madness hits a new level, the Jets will need more contributions from everybody and that means big goals from their big goal scorers.

Hendricks, for one, believes Laine, Connor and Ehlers are absorbing the keys to playoff success with every shift, and in a series where one big goal — cue the Fiala double OT highlight — can make all the difference, it’s only a matter of time before they get one.

“We got better over that day and a half between Game 1 and 2,” Hendricks said. “You can see the belief system in this room and the resolve and all those cliché words. They’re there and they’re real and you can feel them in here.”

Jets fans believe too.

After watching the first two games of this series, why wouldn’t they?

Canadian Press https://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/2018/04/30/winnipeg-jets-mark-scheifele-top-nhl-playoff- goal-scorer-to-little-surprise.html

Winnipeg Jets’ Mark Scheifele top NHL playoff goal scorer, to little surprise

By JUDY OWEN The Canadian Press

WINNIPEG—Jacob Trouba has watched Mark Scheifele’s progression to becoming a star forward more closely than others.

The Winnipeg Jets teammates began their full-time NHL careers in 2013-14, when Trouba was a budding defenceman and Scheifele a big, skilled centre who thrived on studying the intricacies of the game.

That’s why Trouba isn’t surprised Scheifele has been on fire in the playoffs, posting eight goals that put him atop that category heading into Monday’s games. Pittsburgh’s Jake Guentzel and Sidney Crosby and Washington’s Alex Ovechkin each had seven.

“I think everybody in that room knows what (Scheifele is) capable of,” Trouba said Monday after some of the Jets were available following their 5-4 double-overtime Game 2 loss to the Predators in Nashville on Sunday night.

“I don’t think it’s any surprise to anyone. He’s shown that over the past how many years that that’s how he can play. He’s a big-time player and he’s got a lot of skill.”

The Jets flew into Winnipeg at 3 a.m. EDT Monday morning after splitting the first two games of their second-round series with the Predators in Nashville. The best-of-seven set between the league’s top two clubs continues Tuesday and Thursday at Bell MTS Place, where Winnipeg has won 12 straight.

Scheifele scored a pair of goals in each of the games at Nashville. The Kitchener, Ont., native also added an assist Sunday. Combined with his points in Winnipeg’s five-game, first-round series victory over Minnesota, the 25-year-old has 10 points in seven games.

His post-season spark follows up a regular season that included two different upper-body injuries, the first one taking him out of commission for almost six weeks. Scheifele missed a total 22 games, but still racked up 60 points in 60 games.

“He’s very into recovery and that kind of stuff so I don’t think I’m surprised by how he’s done and how well he’s recovered,” Trouba said. “It’s just a testament. I think everybody knows how much he loves hockey and that’s part of what makes him up.”

Scheifele anchors a line with rookie left-winger Kyle Connor and captain Blake Wheeler.

“It seems like the bigger the stage, the more he elevates his game,” Connor said of Scheifele, who has seven goals in his past four games. “He really comes to play.”

Watching that gives him a boost, as well as his teammates.

“Yeah, for sure,” Connor said. “I think it just kind of comes when we all push each other. Not even as a line, just as a team. Everybody wants to elevate their game and be the best.”

Only a few Jets took part in Monday’s optional skate, including injured players such as defenceman Dmitry Kulikov and forwards Joel Armia and Mathieu Perreault.

Scheifele didn’t meet with reporters, but after Sunday’s loss he was frank in his analysis of the game that ended when Predators Kevin Fiala scored at 5:37 of the second extra period.

“We had our chances, they had their chances. That’s the way it happens in overtime,” Scheifele said post-game. “It’s definitely a sucky way to be on the bad side of it, but it’s over.”

He said he’s learning things in his second career playoff series. In the 2015 post-season, the Jets were swept in their first-round series against Anaheim. Scheifele had one assist.

“You’ve got to go to the dirty areas,” he said. “(Wheeler) made an unbelievable pass on that tying (goal). It’s fun playing with those guys. It’s too bad we didn’t get the win.”

Jets head coach Paul Maurice said Scheifele views himself as a playmaker, but he’s got the gift for scoring goals.

“I think if Mark got selfish in his game, and I’m not encouraging him to do it, but I think he’s a 30- to 50-goal scorer,” Maurice said. “He’s got that kind of shot.

“We totally leave him alone in terms of his decisions with what he does on the offensive side of the puck, but he seems to have shifted now in some of the situations to be a shooter, too.”

Winnipeg’s “whiteout” crowd inside the rink, and thousands more at an expanded street party, could watch more tight matches. While the Jets went 32-7-2 at home in the regular season, the Predators’ road record was 25-9-7.

Associated Press https://www.si.com/nhl/2018/04/30/playoffs-no-home-ice-advantage

Home Is Where the 'L' Is? Home Teams Struggling in Playoffs

By ASSOCIATED PRESS

PITTSBURGH (AP) Having home ice is supposed to be an advantage in the NHL. So far in the 2018 playoffs, the only guarantee to playing at home is a monochrome backdrop provided by fans in team-specific T-shirts.

Consider the following:

• The finished with the second-worst road record among the 16 playoff teams. Then the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions ripped off three wins in Philadelphia to kickstart their pursuit of a three-peat and backed it up with another victory in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series in Washington.

• The Capitals dropped Games 1 and 2 at home in overtime against Columbus in the opening round only to beat the Blue Jackets three times in Columbus on their way to advancing to the NHL's final eight for the fourth consecutive year.

• Winnipeg posted an NHL-high 32 wins on home ice. One of their seven regulation home losses, however, was a wild 6-5 setback at the hands of Nashville in February. The Predators' triumph helped them win the Presidents Trophy and guarantee home ice through the playoffs. The Jets, of course, won the series opener in Nashville to steal that advantage.

Home teams are just 25-25 so far in the playoffs heading into Tuesday, when Pittsburgh hosts Washington (7:30 p.m. Eastern, NBCSN) and Winnipeg welcomes the Predators (8 p.m., CNBC). Both series are tied after the visitors claimed their respective openers on the road.

Asked why the games have become a coin flip regardless of venue, Penguins coach Mike Sullivan - whose team was outplayed at PPG Paints Arena by Philadelphia in Game 2 and Game 5 in the opening round - admits he can't really come up with a reason.

''I don't know if I have answer for you that makes sense,'' Sullivan said Monday. ''Sometimes when teams go on the road, they have tendency to simplify their game ... I know our team historically has been very good at home and I believe we will continue to do that.''

If Pittsburgh wants to become the first franchise in 35 years to win three straight titles, it doesn't really have much of a choice. Though Sullivan is right in that the Penguins are pretty good at PPG Paints Arena, they've only been so-so when facing the Capitals. Washington won Game 3 and Game 6 in Pittsburgh during the 2017 postseason and wrapped up its third straight title with a 3-1 win there on April 1.

''You've got to create your own momentum, but it gives you good memories,'' Capitals coach Barry Trotz said. ''If you have to go back into the memory bank, at least we have one. Those are things that you can bank on maybe for some positive feeling going forward.''

Predators forward Nick Bonino couldn't offer up any specifics about Nashville's victory in Winnipeg even though it happened all of two months ago, saying only ''I'm sure we played a solid road game.''

The road does offer the visiting team a sense of routine. There aren't as many friends or family around. No kids waking up in the middle of the night. No to deal with in most places. Just wake up, suit up and go play.

''You go out to dinner, there's not really any distractions,'' Bonino said. ''You're there for hockey.''

And the hockey in both series has been spectacular. Nashville avoided heading to in an 0-2 hole with a thrilling double-overtime escape in Game 2. Washington responded after blowing a two-goal, third-period lead in Game 1 by winning a predictably chippy Game 2.

That chippiness included a questionable hit by Washington's Tom Wilson to Pittsburgh defenseman Brian Dumolin's head in the second period that sent Dumolin into the concussion protocol. Dumolin skated with his teammates on Monday and his status - much like the status of star center Evgeni Malkin (lower body) and Carl Hagelin (upper body) - won't be determined until Tuesday.

Wilson was not penalized for the hit and received a pass from the league when it opted not to schedule a disciplinary hearing to review the play. While Dumolin said he didn't see Wilson coming because he was bracing for a hit by Alex Ovechkin, Wilson claimed Dumolin turned his head just before impact leaving Wilson with no time to react.

''He stops and turns and I'm kind of right there as (Ovechkin) is coming in pretty aggressively,'' Wilson said. ''It's a collision.''

Pittsburgh star Kris Letang wasn't surprised Wilson's hit wasn't deemed illegal. Why?

''Because we don't know anymore (what's legal and illegal),'' he said.

And we don't know what a given night is going to bring anymore either. Home teams get to sleep in their beds. They get the luxury of the last line change before faceoffs, allowing them to get the matchups they want. And so far it has made zero difference in the result.

''It doesn't have to be pretty always on the road,'' Predators defenseman Matt Irwin said. ''I think we embrace that.''

The Tennessean https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/nhl/predators/2018/05/01/nashville-predators- winnipeg-jets-nontraditional-market-rexrode-atlanta-thrashers/566157002/

Predators, Jets both have 'non-traditional' in their DNA

By Joe Rexrode, USA TODAY NETWORK

The “non-traditional market” always will be subject to some degree of hockey profiling, such as outside observers looking for every little Bridgestone Arena reaction that conveys a lack of pedigree – even though the Bridgestone crowd is as informed as any other in the NHL – and the hunt for ticket policies that suggest insecurity.

For the record, the Winnipeg Jets, like the Predators and many other teams in the league, take measures to ensure playoff tickets can be purchased only by fans in their broadcast footprint, as confirmed by Jets spokesman Rob Wozny. So just like everything else in this series, which might end up the best of the entire Stanley Cup playoffs and is tied 1-1 heading to Tuesday’s Game 3, there’s a mirror effect. There’s a lot of “non-traditional” in the Winnipeg DNA, too.

This could have been The I-75/I-24 Series.Nashville vs. Atlanta. Southern cities, a three-and-a- half-hour drive apart, treating a best-of-seven like one big Vols vs. Dawgs classic. This second incarnation of the Winnipeg Jets started as the in 1999 before moving in 2011 to Winnipeg, the capital of Manitoba that sits about 385 miles northwest of Minneapolis.

Granted, Atlanta was in the Eastern Conference, so the Predators and Thrashers could have met only in a Stanley Cup Final. But this could have been a Mostly I-94 Seriesas well – Winnipeg against the team from Hamilton, , that used to be the Predators – for fans willing to make the 20-hour drive between those cities. Four years before Atlanta made the move, Predators fans staged a rally to help keep their team in Nashville and out of Hamilton.

Jets find it 'completely different in Winnipeg' Eventually, a Canadian billionaire’s bid to buy the team failed and a local ownership group bought it from Craig Leipold. And now we have this: two teams built expertly in the salary-cap era, playing in two of the best atmospheres in hockey, set up to be very good for a long time. Very good and very much in each other’s way. If Nashville’s 5-4 double-overtime win Sunday to even this Western Conference semifinal is any indication, there’s a lot more enthralling, dramatic hockey to be played between these teams. This year and beyond.

“If you didn’t care, if you weren’t from Nashville or Winnipeg, you had to like that,” Predators coach Peter Laviolette said after Sunday’s 85-minute marathon. “I mean, there was a point in the second period, I was just talking to (general manager) and a couple of coaches, there was a point in the second period where it was a track meet. It was just up and down as fast as two teams could do.”

And these franchises should be in a place of financial strength considering the way fans have responded to their success. For the handful of Jets who once were Thrashers, the contrast between then and now is striking.

“It's just so different from where we are now,” said Jets forward Bryan Little, who played his first four NHL seasons in Atlanta before the abrupt move to Winnipeg. “We were playing in an empty rink most nights in Atlanta, and just not a lot of atmosphere and stuff like that. I mean, it’s completely different playing in Winnipeg now, so much interest. Obviously, it’s a big hockey town.”

But that assessment is what burns people from Atlanta who invested so much in the Thrashers. Ben Wright, for example, a Canadian who moved to Atlanta to run the Thrashers’ website in 2004. He worked for the team from then until the stunning revelation in May 2011 that all previous public assurances of “all is well” were bunk – that ownership group Atlanta Spirit was selling and the team was moving.

“I was stunned,” said Wright, who lost his job but stayed in Atlanta and now works for Georgia Tech. “There were probably people in the organization that knew it was coming, but if there were, they kept it to themselves. I went outside and cut a whole bunch of wood. Took out my frustration with an ax.”

Unlike Thrashers, Predators rewarded their fans Wright had seen up close the passion of Thrashers fans, packing Philips Arena when the team was competitive and when ownership and management appeared to be committed to winning. There was a core of hockey enthusiasts when the franchise started in 1999, left over from the days of the Atlanta Flames – an NHL franchise that started in 1972 and moved to in 1980. There was a strong youth hockey program. There were roughly 50,000 transplanted Canadians in town.

And there was one Thrashers playoff team, in 2006-07, swept in the first round by the . Fans became disillusioned by the losing and lack of investment. They later became bitter at the NHL, Wright said, after the league appeared to do all it could to keep the Coyotes in Arizona while letting the Thrashers move to Winnipeg.

The Coyotes, by the way, used to be the original Winnipeg Jets, before that move in 1996. All of which is to say that things can change fast in this sport. The “non-traditional” markets will embrace a winner, as Laviolette and Jets coach Paul Maurice both could testify after Maurice took the to the Stanley Cup Final in 2002 and Laviolette won the Cup there in 2006.

“The ref is 3 feet off the bench before (Game 3 in 2002) talking to me and I can’t hear a word he’s saying,” Maurice recalled. “We just kind of laugh at each other. There’s a passionate base in Southern markets. They love hockey. And they come to games to get a workout. They come to be involved in the games. I felt that in Carolina. Carolina went to the Finals, missed the playoffs, won the Cup, missed the playoffs, went to the conference finals, missed the playoffs. They could never get the traction year after year.”

The Predators have risen steadily to become one of the best teams in the league with one of the best home environments in sports. Like the Predators, the Jets are in a good place. But there are people in Atlanta who cared and who cringe to hear shade thrown on the hockey pedigree of a city that simply didn’t get the product it deserved. For his part, Little said every time he’s in Bridgestone he sees a couple of Thrashers jerseys floating around the crowd.

“If the Jets made the Stanley Cup Final, I’d probably call up a couple fans I knew and want to watch it with them,” Wright said. “I don’t know if I’d be cheering for them, but I’d watch it.” https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/nhl/predators/2018/04/30/predators-winnipeg-jets-bell- mts-place-peter-laviolette-craig-smith-nhl-stanley-cup-playoffs/565774002/

Predators face challenge in Winnipeg, but they were last to win there

By Mike Organ, USA TODAY NETWORK

The Predators aren't headed for friendly confines, but at least they will be familiar.

Game 3 of the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs between Nashville and Winnipeg is set for Tuesday (7 p.m., CNBC/102.5-FM) at the Jets' Bell MTS Place, which should remind the Predators of Bridgestone Arena.

Not only are the buildings close to the same in capacity (Bridgestone 17,113, Bell MTS Place 16,345), but more noticeably the environment also probably will be almost identical with loads of loud, passionate fans cheering from start to finish inside and outside the arena.

"There are similarities," Predators coach Peter Laviolette said. "They seem to be doing a good job of putting a party on out in the streets and filling their building and lots of energy. It's something we're familiar with. I think our guys will be fine with it. They've handled buildings in the past and done a pretty good job of it."

In fact, the Predators took care of business at Bell MTS Place in the regular season. They were the last team to win there when they claimed a 6-5 victory on Feb. 27. Since then the Jets are 12-0 at home.

"I can’t remember that far back; I’m sure we played a solid road game there," Predators center Nick Bonino said. "We’ve been to a lot of buildings that are loud, but (Bridgestone and Bell MTS Place) are two of the loudest I think in the league. It’s just like Nashville; it’s a loud arena with passionate fans. They wanted the team back in Winnipeg. They got it back and they have a great team now, so the fans are pumped up and ready to go.”

Winnipeg had the best home record in the NHL in the regular season at 32-7-2. Nashville was 28-9-4 at Bridgestone Arena.

"You play at home, it's always a building where you probably should win," Predators center Craig Smith said. "They play hard in front of their crowd. The fans are passionate there, and they play really well at home. We're looking forward to it. It's been a great series so far."

The Predators are looking forward to it and probably not intimidated by the surroundings, not only because they won there in February, but also because they have played well on the road all season.

Nashville tied Tampa Bay for the most road wins in the NHL in the regular season with 25.

"I think it's a confidence, a belief of sticking with what makes us successful," Predators defenseman Matt Irwin said. "It doesn't have to be pretty always on the road. I think we embrace that. We've won there before, and we're looking to do the same thing on this trip. It's going to be a hostile environment. Watching their first-round series, pretty great atmosphere. It's something that we can feed off of as well, and that's exciting for us."

The Hockey News http://www.thehockeynews.com/news/article/scoring-support-five-role-players-who-have- stepped-up-in-the-nhl-playoffs

SCORING SUPPORT: FIVE ROLE PLAYERS WHO HAVE STEPPED UP IN THE NHL PLAYOFFS

By: Jared Clinton

They might not be skating big minutes, but these five players have made the most of every shift through the early part of the 2018 NHL post-season.

Brandon Tanev, Winnipeg Jets Tanev is a role player through and through. His game is predicated upon speed, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to shy away from getting physical, even if he does boast a somewhat slight 6- foot, 180-pound frame. He’s a penalty killer and a shot blocker and anything he does put up on the scoreboard is seen as an added bonus. That being said, Tanev has been giving opposing defenders and goaltenders fits throughout the early part of the post-season.

Not only has he been able to work his way into prime scoring areas throughout the first two rounds, but Tanev has managed to fire 14 pucks on goal — fifth among all Jets forwards — and he has been rewarded for his effort with three goals. He’s found himself on quite the run of late, too. After scoring in Game 5 against the Minnesota Wild, Tanev has found twine in each of the first two games against the Nashville Predators. Both were big goals, too. His first opened the scoring in Game 1, his second was a big third period goal for Winnipeg in Game 2.

Global Winnipeg https://globalnews.ca/news/4177335/the-jets-vs-predators-contest-rages-well-beyond-the-ice-in- nashville/

The Jets vs Predators contest rages well beyond the ice in Nashville

By Brittany Greenslade and Sharon Pfeifer Global News

While a battle between Winnipeg and Nashville was about to happen, another battle was brewing just steps from Bridgestone Arena — Canada vs USA.

It was about an hour before puck drop Sunday when a large group of Jets fans took over Tootsies bar on Broadway.

The crowd was getting rowdy and riled up ahead of game two and the smack talk had started.

The bartender and singer walked around to collect tips for song requests when a man from Nova Scotia dropped a crisp $100 into the jar.

“I’d like to hear the Canadian anthem,” he said. “And I want the Winnipeg girl to sing it.”

That Winnipeg girl was Manitoba-born Nashville singer Courtney Lynn.

Lynn jumped at the chance and jumped on the bar. As she sang the Canadian anthem, Jets fans started pouring into the bar singing loud and proud.

As the loud audible “True North” passed and the anthem ended, an American man stood up and countered the song with his own request — $20 to hear the American anthem — and the battle between the countries rang out, inside and out.

You don’t have to be good at math to know that Canada leads the contest.

Yes, technically the playoff series was tied 1-1 as of the end of the game Sunday, but the battle took on a whole new air Monday.

The Royal Canadian Air Force confirmed two CF-18 Hornets out of Cold Lake Alta., would conduct a flyby over Winnipeg as the Jets prepare to take on the Predators in Game Three.

NHL.com https://www.nhl.com/news/nashville-predators-confident-strong-road-play-will-continue-in- winnipeg/c-298352786

Predators confident strong road play will continue in Game 3 against Jets Nashville 2-1 away from home in playoffs, last visiting team to win at Winnipeg by Robby Stanley / NHL.com Correspondent

NASHVILLE -- The Nashville Predators are preparing for what could be their toughest task of the Stanley Cup Playoffs so far, going on the road for Game 3 of their Western Conference Second Round against the Winnipeg Jets.

Kevin Fiala scored in double overtime Sunday to give Nashville a 5-4 win and even the best-of-7 series 1-1. Game 3 is at Bell MTS Place on Tuesday (8 p.m. ET; CNBC, CBC, TVAS).

"I think as a group there was a calm confidence about us," Predators defenseman Matt Irwin said Monday. "We felt like we weren't losing [Game 2]. They tied it late. You don't expect them to roll over and die, and it just makes for good hockey. It was entertaining. There was chances both ways in overtime, and every guy that went over the boards knew they had a job to do. There was a big goal out there for someone to be a hero, and Kevin was huge."

The Predators were an NHL-best 25-9-7 on the road in the regular season, then went 2-1 away from Bridgestone Arena in their Western Conference First Round series against the Colorado Avalanche.

"Getting on the road is always fun as a team," Nashville forward Nick Bonino said. "You go out to dinner, there's not really any distractions. You're there for hockey. You get up and treat it as business as usual. We kind of just roll the lines. We've got four lines that can really go and don't worry about matchups or anything. We just play and have had some good results."

Winnipeg had the best home record in the League at 32-7-2, and won its three games at home in the first round against the Minnesota Wild.

The Jets have won 12 consecutive home games, but their last loss at Bell MTS Place was 6-5 against the Predators on Feb. 27.

"I can't remember that far back," Bonino said. "I'm sure we played a solid road game. It's a really fun arena to play in. They've got the white-out going, they're loud. It's always fun to play in front of fans like that. It's just like Nashville, it's a loud arena with passionate fans."

The Predators went 1-0-1 on the road against the Jets in the regular season and are 16-3-4 in their past 23 road games, including the first round against the Avalanche.

"Our guys show up and compete," Predators coach Peter Laviolette said. "They play hard. I think there's good leadership in the room. There's always been good leadership in the room. I think that's probably a good start to it, just making sure that you're doing the right things on the road like you do at home."

Nashville goaltender Pekka Rinne is 4-1-1 with a 2.52 goals-against average and .917 save percentage in six career games at Bell MTS Place. https://www.nhl.com/news/tyler-myers-thriving-for-winnipeg-jets-in-playoffs-after-trying-year/c- 298356700?tid=297171692

Myers thriving for Jets in playoffs after trying year Puts injuries, family crisis behind him, focused on second-round series vs. Predators by Tim Campbell @TimNHL / NHL.com Staff Writer

WINNIPEG - Tyler Myers had just been awarded the Winnipeg Jets' authentic fighter pilot helmet, signifying that he was that night's player of the game.

But the ceremony on Oct. 12, 2017 packed more emotion and meaning than the usual postgame ritual for the Jets defenseman.

"I can't remember what I said," Jets forward and award presenter Bryan Little said. "I just remember giving him the helmet and giving him a hug."

For Myers, the award meant more than being recognized for his game-winning, shorthanded goal against the . It was a sign that the 28-year-old defenseman was back following a grueling year - both mentally and physically.

Myers has three points (two goals, one assist) in six Stanley Cup Playoff games for the Jets, who are tied 1-1 with the Nashville Predators in the Western Conference Second Round. Game 3 of the best-of-7 series is at Winnipeg's Bell MTS Place on Tuesday (8 p.m. ET; CNBC, CBC, TVAS).

Back in October, not only was Myers playing after missing 71 games the previous season because of a hip injury sustained Nov. 11, 2016 that required surgery on Feb. 6, 2017, Myers and his wife, Michela, had gotten through a trying time because of complications from the premature birth of their son, Tristan.

"The injury was one thing; it was obviously very tough going through that, not being able to get on the ice to help the guys," said Myers said. "But in terms of the other stuff, our little guy, we're very happy with how far he's come."

With Myers on a road trip with the Jets, Michela, pregnant at the time, wasn't feeling right and decided to go to the hospital on Jan. 5, 2017. After an ultrasound, it was determined she needed an emergency cesarean section.

Tristan Myers was born five weeks premature and without 80 percent of his blood, the result of a fetal maternal hemorrhage.

Further complications, including a stroke, kept Tristan in the hospital for nearly six weeks. Tyler and Michela had to wait 12 days before they were allowed to hold him.

Sixteen months later, Tristan is doing well.

"I would almost say it's made me a little more laid back," Myers said. "I don't let things get to me too much. I start thinking about him and how hard he had to fight to get through what he did and it allows me to constantly remind myself and keep getting back to what's important. It really comes down to family first. As much as I love this game and love being part of this room, it really puts things into perspective."

Myers (6-foot-8, 229 pounds), is part of Winnipeg's deep right side on defense that includes Dustin Byfuglien and Jacob Trouba.

Averaging 21:26 of ice time per game this season, Myers had 36 points (six goals, 30 assists) in 82 games, including three game-winners, in addition to his three postseason points.

One of those points came on a spectacular goal in Game 2 of the Jets' Western Conference First Round victory against the Minnesota Wild.

In the second period of a scoreless game, Myers took a pass at the blue line, went around Wild forward Jason Zucker and cut to the net, beating Wild goalie Devan Dubnyk with a blocker-side wrist shot. The Jets won the game, 4-1.

"He has so much poise with the puck," Little said of Myers. "You saw that goal he scored last series, when he walked along the blue line, that takes guts, too, and he does that and he's calm and you can see that poise, carrying the puck up the ice. It's nice to watch.

"He's a great guy to have in the room, great sense of humor."

Even with his world spinning in many directions over the past 18 months, Myers has remained grounded and focused. He said he appreciates even more all that he has.

"Ever since I came into the League, and when I was younger, I've always been extremely hard on myself," Myers said. "I've let things weigh on me maybe a little more than they should. But I've learned over the years to become much more even-keeled.

"With as hard as some of the things were last year, now that things are good, it's allowed me to just take a step back and realize not to worry about things so much. Less stress. Enjoy the things around me and have fun with the guys and have fun with the little guy and my wife at home and basically just enjoy the moment."

His family-first priority is stronger now, he said, and that includes his teammates and the Jets organization.

"The way the Jets treated our family during a tough time, I'll always be linked to this place no matter what happens," Myers said. "And when I say family first, they're included in that. So it's not just being related to somebody.

"They've really created a family atmosphere in this organization. It's been a real nice thing to be a part of and it's really nice to come back this year and be at a point where everything is moving forward."

Little said that family is the key piece to how Myers fits with the Jets and how they fit him.

"I had so much time myself the last two seasons with injuries so I know how frustrated and down you can get being in that position," Little said. "Plus all the stuff off the ice he had to go through.

"To add that on top of it, that's a stressful situation he was in. That's what makes this team special, that we're there for each other. We're really good family. And it's different. I've played on teams when I was younger that weren't like that. And they didn't have that kind of bond and closeness as a team and this team really has that. We really care about each other and you want to see each other do well.

"To see him back now, doing well and playing a full season, that's awesome."

Sportsnet.ca https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/winnipeg-nashville-series-deserve/

Why Winnipeg-Nashville is the series we all deserve

By Luke Fox

WINNIPEG – Blake Wheeler stands in front of his stall mere minutes after playing the longest hockey game of his NHL career.

Loud and angry and punctuated with more mood swings than a toddler skipping naptime, Game 2 of Jets-Predators in Nashville was a humdinger of a hockey game, a nine-goal, 60-chance, five-period epic with heroes and goats and enough sideshows and gif-wrapped capsules to turn casual fans formal and provide talk-radio with more than enough fodder till they do it all over again Tuesday.

Still the club Wheeler captains, with an iron will and sardonic wit, just lost a coin-flip thriller and he’s doing his best to bottle frustration.

"Are you able to appreciate the entertainment value in a game like this?" a brave reporter ventures.

Wheeler takes a deep breath as he contemplates an appropriate response and, quite possibly, putting his questioner in a headlock.

"I don’t think so," the hockey player says, summoning politeness.

Scrum over. Series on, and poppin’. Best-of-five.

The Predators and Jets finished the regular season one-two in points and (we see you, Vegas!) are likely worthy of the same power-ranking in terms of Awesome Places to Go See a Playoff Game.

Hockey fans deserve this.

Each club dresses up a Vezina Trophy finalist in the nets, but both Pekka Rinne and Connor Hellebuyck have already been pulled at points in this young post-season, and we prefer our hockey with a side of mistakes.

The sides are at essentially at full health (we see you, Joel Armia!) and both top lines are at the top of their game.

Wheeler’s centreman, Mark Scheifele, has more goals (eight) than anyone in the playoffs, and nearly each one has been pretty in an ugly area. Nashville’s best trio — Filip Forsberg, Ryan Johansen, Viktor Arvidsson — only combined for eight points in Sunday’s 5-4 OT gem when they could’ve had more, making good on Johansen’s early "must win" declaration.

"There’s a lot more offence to be had. If this thing ended up 11-10, it might have been fair with some of the chances at both ends," Maurice said. "I don’t think anybody is playing casual or loose. Both teams have finishers and they get to the net."

Picture, in your mind, the ideal playoff roster: handsy forwards who can turnstyle a good D-man, snipers who can go bar-down with the best of ’em, speedy defenders confident enough to create their own offence, a goalie solid enough to steal you a game or two per series. Fast and tough, but not sloppily so. Resilient. Accustomed to quick starts and early leads but doesn’t panic when playing catch-up.

Now double that roster, paint one yellow, one blue, and stuff all 40 men, and all their beliefs and talents and flaws, into arenas so deafening and victory-hungry that the ice surface starts to shrink and feel more like a boxing ring.

A mutual respect lives here among the hate. For now, at least, players and coaches keep complementing the other side. P.K. Subban said he was comfortable being a minus-three and losing Game 1. Maurice said he was "more comfortable" with the way his Jets played, and lost, Game 2 than how they won Game 1.

"Very fast, lots of transition, lots of excitement at both ends of the ice, great chances, some missed opportunities," Maurice says. "This game [Sunday] looked the way we thought the series would look."

Giddy yap.

We deserve Johansen, too hurt to play for his city in the 2017 Cup final, scoring 27 seconds into the game’s first shift.

We need Subban blasting a twine-seeking missile from the point and reminding a conservative sport how trades can be won.

We can’t wait to retweet Dustin Byfuglien rag-dolling Austin Watson and Roman Josi — that’s 405 pounds of combined Predator — all at once. Or punching his own teammates in the face after Scheifele’s clutch goal.

Viktor Arvidsson’s throwback slapper off the rush, Josh Morrissey sacrificing his body to block a shot as time expires, Ryan Ellis taking a skate blade to the face and returning as soon as the doc can weave 14 stitches into his cheek and thank God for mandatory visors… this is reality TV made healthy.

"There’s times when I was a kid where I was told to go to sleep and I’d turn my TV on mute just to watch the end of the hockey game that’s in triple overtime," says Jacob Trouba. "So those are the games you want to play in."

The spectacle of this searing series soars over the glass and beyond the boards.

Nashville pulled out all the stops Sunday. Carrie Underwood — listed in the game-night program as fourth-line centre Mike Fisher’s "favorite musician" — sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" something lovely.

James Shaw Jr., the actual hero who saved lives at the Tennessee Waffle House shooting and continues to raise money for the victims, was invited and honoured mid-game.

Chris Isaac played live during intermission, and the Tennessee Titans offensive line did something with a catfish and beer and no shirts that we’re not sure would’ve been legal in another state:

Fans waved free, flashing golden lightsabers and chanted relentlessly, with bite. "Nashville Is Always Loud" read the t-shirt of one young woman walking toward Music City’s outdoor watch party, which diverted traffic and swallowed a couple blocks of Broadway’s honky-tonk strip adjacent to Bridgestone Arena.

The wisdom of the downtown rink is shared, as 20,000 or so Winnipeggers put away their inhibitions and lay out their costumes for Game 3.

"The atmosphere [in Nashville] is awesome, a little bit crazy. But I like ours a lot more. I think ours is way more hockey-related and a lot more stinging than theirs was," Hellebuyck says.

"We’re going to be calling out to our fans to really put the pressure on, because we have that ability here."

The East side of the Stanley Cup bracket features four familiar powers who’ve all either won Cups or been here before.

The West is a wild frontier. San Jose, Vegas, Nashville and Winnipeg have combined for zero championships. This loads the next few weeks with freedom to dream but also the heft of legitimate belief that the Winnipeg-Nashville winner could go all the way.

Maurice describes his playoff viewing habits this way: "The Eastern Conference is like candy, And the Western Conference would be like meat and potatoes. Gotta get the main meal in."

So, what if it’s only Round 2? This aggressive, breakneck, full-contact track meet of a series looks like an all-you-can-eat buffet (Buff, eh?!).

Blake Wheeler is, understandably, too entrenched to be entertained. But us, outside the ring? We’re just happy to tuck in the napkin and sport-eat ’till it hurts.

"Right now, we’ve just got to get some rest, get some good food, some good eats," Subban says, "and get ready for the toughest road trip of the year." https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/pressure-mounts-jets-predators-ahead-must-win-game-2/

Jets finding out playoff hockey is a different animal

By Mark Spector

WINNIPEG — As the Winnipeg Jets are finding out, playoff hockey is a different animal.

The tests are not the same in April, when the Nashville Predators line up against you every second night, as they are in January when the Arizonas and Buffalos break up the schedule with their mixed-up lineups of aspiring NHLers and wannabe regulars.

This time of year exposes weaknesses in your game, both systematically and individually, while at the same time providing an occasion that players can rise to. So far the Jets are just fine as a team, with a 5-2 post-season record. Individually, Mark Scheifele, Josh Morrissey, Dustin Byfuglien and Connor Hellebuyck are among those who have found a way to get better as the level rises, while some of their teammates aren’t there yet.

As the series shifts north to Winnipeg, we’ll offer a few thoughts on a few players — some who are exceeding expectations, and others who are getting left behind.

Kyle Connor had 31 goals and 57 points this season, but still awaits his first career playoff marker. Chances? He’s had a few, but the dangerous winger who made his way to the Jets top line as a rookie this season has yet to arrive in the playoffs, despite 15 shots on net.

Meanwhile, Nikolaj Ehlers was a 60-point, 29-goal winger this season. That’s 60 goals and 117 points between the two support wingers, but only three assists each in a goalless post-season thus far.

In a Game 2 track meet that should have been right up the speedy Dane’s alley, Ehlers didn’t have enough impact. He has been pushed to the perimeter too much thus far, as a young skill player learns that the game turns with the calendar in April.

He’ll figure it out, because he’s smart and skilled. Until then, the Jets are getting enough goals that both Connor and Ehlers get a pass from the coach.

“Evaluate the group almost as the line,” Paul Maurice said Monday. “So, Connor hasn’t scored but Mark Scheifele clearly has. The (Paul) Stastny line has produced some big goals for us. (Ehlers) speed, the big (Stastny) goal in Nashville — it’s all Nik Ehlers, right? From one end to the other, he tries to put it to the net, (Patrik Laine) gets a great chance and Paul Stastny scores. But Nik Ehlers drives that play.”

The good news for Connor is he doesn’t have to look far to see how one elevates their game in the playoffs. His centreman, Scheifele, has been a beast.

“Nothing more than usual throughout the regular season,” said Connor. “It seems like the bigger the stage, the more he elevates his game. He really comes to play.”

On defence, Josh Morrissey is playing a stable, physical, puck-moving game that has truly impressed. He has the speed to defend in today’s game, and he is surprisingly physical for a player of his small stature. The Jets expect him to grow offensively as he matures, but for now we see a player who will soon replace Toby Enstrom in the lineup, perhaps as soon as next season with Enstrom in his UFA season.

It’s awesome to watch young guys who relish games like these.

“Nothing compares to the Stanley Cup Playoffs,” Morrissey gushed. “Nothing comes even close to the spectacle of it, the grind, the compete, the level of play. It’s just that — it’s on a whole other level.”

Enstrom is a special case, in what could be his final weeks in a Jets jersey. He’s coming off an injury that put him down for a month, and joining a series like this one after a month off is like walking out onto the freeway with roller blades on. It’s going to take Enstrom a while to catch up, and his coach is no doubt aware of that.

Enstrom is minus-3 in two games vs. Nashville, but the Jets believe Byfuglien is more comfortable with his old partner at his side, so they will take the tradeoff of a rusty Enstrom for a better Byfuglien. For now, anyhow.

On the third pairing, Ben Chiarot had us lauding the Jets’ extraordinary depth as he stepped up his game in the absence of Enstrom, Tyler Myers, and Jacob Trouba this season. And so far in the playoffs, but for an untimely whiff on a puck late in the second period Sunday, Chiarot has held his own.

But as this series ramps up — and speeds up — will Chiarot’s game hold up? The Jets are playing with house money with this player. So far he has exceeded expectations but the level is rising.

Here’s where we find out if this depth defenceman has hit his ceiling or not.

TSN.ca https://www.tsn.ca/scheifele-takes-centre-stage-in-jets-playoff-run-1.1072150

Scheifele takes centre stage in Jets’ playoff run

By Frank Seravalli TSN Senior Hockey Reporter

WINNIPEG — Paul Maurice remembered the question from one of his nights on the TSN Hockey panel, the one-time temporary home of both then out-of-work coaches in this series.

It was the start of the 2013-14 season, but the Quizmaster was in midseason form.

“The question on the panel that night was: Is Mark Scheifele a bust?” Maurice recalled Sunday.

It wasn’t an unfair question to kick around. Scheifele, then 20, was a prospect progressing in a straight line – just not with the upward trajectory expected of a No. 7 overall pick.

Fans in Winnipeg were up in arms because Philadelphia Flyers centre Sean Couturier, the player picked after Scheifele, already had more than 100 NHL games and a playoff hat trick under his belt.

Remember that?

“Because he hadn’t come into the league at 18 and scored 30, he got forgotten about a little bit,” Maurice said. “Then he came to the team in his first two or three years and we were truly rebuilding and young, so he wasn’t noticed. They were good numbers but it wasn’t something they [media] were talking about Hart Trophy.

“But he’s just continued on that same pace to get better, and he’s emerging now as a player that people have to notice.”

It may be unfathomable to think of the NHL’s No. 7 ranked scorer from 2016-17 as still emerging, but such is life sometimes when you play in Winnipeg.

The rest of the hockey world is noticing now – better late than never. Scheifele scored his playoff-leading eighth goal in Game 2 on Sunday, his third multi-goal night in his last four games.

For the Jets, who returned home all square in this second-round slugfest, Scheifele’s success is a case of one man on fire at the same time when sniper Patrik Laine has gone unusually cold.

“When he runs hot, we can put it in the net with the best of them,” Blake Wheeler said of Scheifele. “Where he is at on the power play right now, [Laine] gets a ton of respect. We’re pretty lucky. I think we’ve got the best, at least one of the best, two one-timers in Laine and [Scheifele]. I haven’t seen anyone be better than that. It’s a great luxury to have.”

Scheifele, now 25, has been at the centre of just about everything for the Jets this spring. He scored Winnipeg’s first goal of the playoffs against Minnesota, netted the game-winner in Game 4, dished the game-winning assist in Game 5, and then added two insurance markers in Game 1 on Friday night.

Scheifele scored the biggest goal of his career – so far – with 65 seconds left in Game 2 on Sunday night to force overtime.

“It’s just the way the game goes,” Scheifele said Sunday. “When you get chances, sometimes you get lucky.”

Laine has been incredibly unlucky. Sunday night marked his fifth consecutive game without a goal. Dating back to the regular season, Laine has three goals in his last 17 games.

Laine still has six points – including one assist in each of the first two games this series – in Winnipeg’s seven postseason contests.

Laine blasted seven shots on Pekka Rinne alone in Game 2. He hasn’t scored in 15 consecutive shots – a career 18 per cent shooter, he normally would have three more goals by now.

It’s unclear whether the “malaise” that Maurice described Laine as having when he missed a few days of practice last week is still affecting the Finn, who has scored the most goals of any NHL teenager in the last 30 years.

Laine said on Friday he didn’t even know what malaise meant.

“I'm pretty comfortable in these games,” Laine said. “These are the games I enjoy the most. My game is going to be better as soon as the stakes go higher.”

Meanwhile, almost everything Scheifele has touched has gone in. Excluding the two empty-net goals he has scored, Scheifele has six goals on 16 shots (37.5 per cent). Only Boston rookie Jake DeBrusk has been hotter this postseason at 41.6 per cent.

The expectation, of course, is Scheifele and Laine will likely regress to their normal shooting percentages as the Jets continue on their playoff road. But the Stanley Cup playoffs are a short season and there’s no rule that says they both can’t get hot at the same time.

“Playoff hockey is fun,” Scheifele said. “It’s exciting. You’re going to win games; you’re going to lose games; you’re going to get down in games. There’s a lot of adversity that goes on through a series and that’s the reason they’re a best four of seven.” https://www.tsn.ca/video/has-hellebuyck-and-rinne-bought-into-the-hype~1383149 (VIDEO LINK)

Has Hellebuyck and Rinne bought into the hype?

Connor Hellebuyck and Pekka Rinne are two obvious talking points in the series between the Jets and Predators because of their credentials this season as Vezina finalists, but does the matchup mean anything extra to them? That's Hockey discusses. https://www.tsn.ca/video/scheifele-has-evolved-into-key-player-for-jets~1383148 (VIDEO LINK)

Scheifele has evolved into key player for Jets

Mark Scheifele's development has not been a straight line in his career, he has had to go through ups and downs but he now finds himself at the centre of everything the Jets are doing. Frank Seravalli has more on how he has grown into his game and touches on Patrik Laine's scoring slump. https://www.tsn.ca/video/the-panel-jets-predators-living-up-to-high-event-series~1383154 (VIDEO LINK)

The Panel: Jets, Predators living up to 'high-event series'

The TSN Hockey panel discusses how Jets/Predators is living up to Paul Maurice's prediction for the series, the barrage of offence so far, and what went wrong during Connor Hellebuyck's tough performance in Game 2.

The Athletic https://theathletic.com/335885/2018/04/30/lebrun-jets-predators-embrace-offense-without- sacrificing-structure-and-the-result-is-thrilling/

LeBrun: Mark Scheifele’s hunger to constantly improve is paying off in these playoffs

By Pierre LeBrun

WINNIPEG — The playoff goal machine known as Mark Scheifele is a perfect modern-day example of how one leaves no stone unturned to reach the top.

Scheifele’s insatiable appetite to better himself as a hockey player is what fuels his upright arc to NHL superstardom.

He is a student of the game, through and through, a seeker of information in and around the game, a young man looking for any edge he can find to expand his toolbox.

Take, for example, his work with skills coach , whose client list now counts 45 NHL players. His players swear by that extra edge they’re adding to their game by working with Oates.

“My favourite thing for him is positionally,’’ Oates told The Athletic. “Because one thing you’ll hear about great players, let’s use Jonathan Toews as an example, the puck allows follows him; Sidney Crosby, the puck always follows him. Well, there’s reasons why. It’s a combination of skill and IQ and how you play your position. Positionally, I would say Mark has gotten better and better and better all the time. All three zones, where he goes, how he finds a location, how he supports, how fast he makes a play, how fast he makes a decision.’’

You can hear the admiration in Oates’ voice as he talks about Scheifele.

“There’s a lot of things that go into it, he’s playing with really good players, Blake Wheeler is a great player, K.C. (Kyle Connor) is great, the power play is great, he’s got Dustin Byfuglien behind him, he’s got a coach who believes in him, that’s obviously very important,” Oates said. “He gets played a lot. His confidence grows just from that alone. Every player would.’’

Oates at first irritated some NHL front offices when he came on the scene as a skills coach. More and more, however, teams are understanding there’s no reason to fight what you can’t fight. Players are seeking every edge they can find. They see one in Oates’ teachings.

At the end of the day, as long as it’s nothing that takes away from what an NHL coaching staff is implementing system-wise, why wouldn’t a team want players trying to find every way possible to improve themselves?

“What we do, we work towards becoming a complete player,’’ Oates said. “We look at the video and say, ‘what does that mean?’ We’ll look at a bad pass which is a mistake and ask ‘why did you make a bad pass? Did you miss a shot, did you turn the wrong way, did you not pick the puck off the boards?’ These are little details of our game that we work on. That’s honestly what we work on. Every guy has his strengths and weaknesses.’’

Oates is in constant communication with Scheifele. He also counts Wheeler as a client.

“Every guy is different. Some guys like to talk, some guys just like to see the videos. Some guys do both,’’ said Oates.

Scheifele? You can guess where the gregarious Jets star fits in.

“He’s a talker,’’ chuckled Oates.

There’s also pride in Scheifele emanating over the phone line from Gary Roberts, whose off- season work with a long list of NHL players, led by Connor McDavid and Steven Stamkos, also includes the 25-year-old Jets centre.

Roberts, whose highly touted program helps players in the gym but just as much in the area of nutrition, started working with Schefeile when the player was 18.

“I think back to when I started to work with him,” Roberts said. “A lot of people that I would talk to at the time would question his skating. I don’t know if he would say that. But his skating is what has really impressed most people in the game, how far it’s come since he was a junior player in Barrie. And that has to do with his diligence though. He is as diligent as they come when it comes to preparation. That’s why we love him so much. He buys into all that.’’

Robert, the former NHL star winger turned diet guru/workout whisperer, has to actually reign Scheifele back at times.

“He bought into the whole lifestyle preparation to a point where I actually tell him, `You can relax today man,’’’ Roberts said with a laugh. “You have your guys that you have to be on every day; a guy like him, you actually have to tell him to take a rest today. Go and have a cheeseburger and relax.’’

Gary Roberts telling someone to have a cheeseburger? That doesn’t happen every day.

“Mark is such a pro,” Roberts said. “You see him on the ice just how composed he is. He’s taking some shots from (Ryan) Johansen last night. He’s a true pro. That’s what I’m more proud of, how he handles himself both on and off the ice. He’s all class. He respects the game and respects his opportunity to play. I think that’s what I love about him the most.’’

The Scheifele we’re seeing in these playoffs is the product of all this hard work and learning.

Three years ago, he didn’t score a goal in the four-game sweep at the hands of Anaheim in his only previous NHL playoff experience.

That wasn’t going to happen again. Scheifele was asked before the playoffs began a few weeks ago what he learned from that sweep.

“Every minute matters,” he said. “Whether you go down in a game, get up in a game, nothing changes. Every team’s good, every team can score, every team can defend, and it’s tough hockey.”

Well, he’s playing right now like every single minute matters. The guy doesn’t take a shift off.

Seven years ago, many people were surprised when the Jets drafted him seventh overall. He had been projected to go in the 20-range.

“I mean, for me, I wasn’t surprised,” Dale Hawerchuk, his coach in OHL Barrie, said. “I’d seen his shot right away. I saw his passion to get better. I saw his passion to make the NHL. And then to be the best he can be. He comes in every day with an attitude that’s so infectious. He just gets everyone smiling and wanting to work hard, you know?’’

There’s some beautiful symmetry in Hawerchuk, the former Jets legend of the 1980s, grooming a present-day Jets star.

He remembers talking to his old pal Craig Heisinger (Jets assistant GM) before that 2011 NHL draft.

“After they interviewed him before the draft, he called me and he said, `This is the best interview we’ve ever had. Is this kid really for real?’ ” said Hawerchuk. “I said, `Yeah. That’s the kid. I really like this kid. The upside is big time with him.’ But they were blown away in the interview process.’’

Scheifele was sent back to junior two seasons in a row after his draft year, which is never easy for a high pick. That came with media and fan scrutiny. Was this kid going to live up to billing?

Hawerchuk said it’s the best thing that could have ever happened to him.

“I’m pretty sure if you draft a guy in the top 10, you want him to be a star or a dominant player at some point,’’ said the Hall of Fame center. “If you never learn how to do it (in junior) then you’ll never do it against men. So, for him to come back to junior and learn how to dominate, that was important. And when you’re dominating, you’re going to deal with a lot of B.S. from the other team, right? You have to learn how to handle that. They’re going to test you over and over. You’re a marked man. You got to learn how to handle that as much as you can play the game. Because that can have an effect on you being dominant or not being dominant.’’

Jets coach Paul Maurice pointed out Sunday morning that he was part of the TSN panel years back when Scheifele’s development at the time was a topic du jour.

“Mark’s progression has been exceptionally consistent,” Maurice said. “I was actually working in your field a few years back and he got sent back to junior and the question on the panel that night was, ‘Is Mark Scheifele a bust?’ Because he didn’t come into the league at 18 and score 30, he got forgotten about a little bit. And then he came to the team in his first two or three years and we were truly rebuilding and young, so he wasn’t noticed. They were good numbers, but it wasn’t something they were talking about Hart Trophy. So he just wasn’t forefront in everybody’s mind. But he’s just continued on that same pace to get better, and he’s emerging now as a player that people have to notice.’’

Yes, he is. And it’s happening because this is a player who will never be satisfied. That constant hunger is his best friend. Cheeseburger or no cheeseburger.

TSN 129 (AUDIO LINKS) https://www.tsn.ca/radio/winnipeg-1290/edmonds-scheifele-has-had-a-tremendous-playoffs- 1.1072640

Edmonds: Scheifele has had a tremendous playoffs

Winnipeg Jets broadcaster Paul Edmonds joined Andrew Paterson and Rick Ralph on the Afternoon Ride. They discussed the Jets split in Nashville, the status of the injured Jets on the roster, how close Patrik Laine is to breaking out. https://www.tsn.ca/radio/winnipeg-1290/valiquette-there-s-a-special-atmosphere-in-winnipeg- 1.1072616

Valiquette: There's a special atmosphere in Winnipeg

Steve Valiquette of MSG and CEO of Clear Sight Analytics joined Andrew Paterson and Rick Ralph on the Afternoon Ride. They discuss the first two games of the Jets/Predators series, why shot totals may be misleading, Viktor Arvidsson’s play for Nashville, and the goaltending match- up between Pekka Rinne and Connor Hellebuyck. https://www.tsn.ca/radio/winnipeg-1290/lebrun-this-series-has-seven-written-all-over-it- 1.1072606

LeBrun: This series has seven written all over it

TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun joined Andrew Paterson and Rick Ralph on the Afternoon Ride. They discussed the fantastic hockey that was played in Game 2 of the Jets/Preds series, the Jets depth and what to expect from Game 3. https://www.tsn.ca/radio/winnipeg-1290/kidd-scheifele-s-composure-a-key-for-jets-in-second- round-1.1072361

Kidd: Scheifele's composure a key for Jets in second round

TSN 1290 Jets analyst Trevor Kidd joined host Kevin Olszewski to break down the opening games between Winnipeg and Nashville and look ahead to Game 3. https://www.tsn.ca/radio/winnipeg-1290/mckenzie-scheifele-has-evolved-into-elite-nhl-player- 1.1072107

McKenzie: Scheifele has evolved into elite NHL player

TSN's Bob McKenzie joined the Big Show to talk the opening games of the Jets/Predators series, Toby Enstrom and Pekka Rinne's struggles as well as Mark Scheifele's play and his status in the NHL. www.winnipegjets.com https://www.nhl.com/jets/news/jets-learn-from-setback-in-game-2-excited-to-get-back-on-home- ice/c-298353670

Jets learn from setback in Game 2, excited to get back on home ice Team holds optional practice Monday at Bell MTS Place by Mitchell Clinton @MitchellClinton / WinnipegJets.com

WINNIPEG - Combine double overtime and a two-and-a-half hour flight home from Nashville, and it's easy to see why the majority of the Winnipeg Jets stayed off the ice on Monday.

It's all in the name of recovery, and while Jacob Trouba would have liked Game 2's decision to be in the Jets favour, he's enjoying the emotional rollercoaster that is the Stanley Cup Playoffs - late nights included.

"There were times when I was a kid that I was told to go to sleep, and I'd turn my TV on mute just to watch the end of a hockey game that was in triple overtime. Those are the games you want to play in," said Trouba, whose 31:23 of ice time was second only to Dustin Byfuglien's 35:27 among Jets defencemen last night.

"It's kind of unorthodox the way you feel and how the games kind of change the later you go - the more tired and fatigued you get. It's a battle, but it's fun and that's part of the playoffs.

"It's fun going through with your teammates in there. You hope there is a pretty good reward at the end. These are the things you have to go through, the days you have to battle through. You do what you have to do today to get ready for tomorrow."

Eight members of the Jets experienced their first overtime loss in the playoffs last night, a loss that evened the best-of-seven series against the Predators at one.

Josh Morrissey was one of those players. He's gone on deep runs in both the WHL and AHL postseasons, and his went all the way to the 2015 Memorial Cup final before falling to the in overtime.

He liked what he saw from his teammates in the minutes after regulation ended.

"Jumping in with both feet is what we talked about going into the overtime. There's no sense in being hesitant," said Morrissey. "If you're going to lose the game, you want to lose the game feeling like you threw it all at them and they just happened to score."

That mentality expands to the entire playoff experience.

"One of the things we talk about a lot is just really enjoying and embracing the opportunity," said Morrissey. "Playing in the Stanley Cup Playoffs is a grind, it's physical, it's tough on the body. But it's the best time of the year, it's the most fun hockey you'll get to play."

Neither Trouba nor Morrissey were one of the seven skaters on the ice for Monday's optional practice, but Connor Hellebuyck - who made 36 saves in Game Two - did take part.

"I like going on the ice and really loosening up and flushing the legs. Just getting back to being tight in my details. I want to feel like I normally do out there, and then I move on," said Hellebuyck.

"Your body is a little tight and a little stiff. But that's why we're pros. We know how to deal with this stuff. I had a nice flush today and now I'm feeling loose, limber, and ready to go."

The 24-year-old Hellebuyck's routine includes not taking the pre-game skate, while others do the opposite, insisting on being on the ice the morning of game day.

For head coach Paul Maurice, those routines after a loss are just as important as the lessons that come from the final result.

"The game doesn't change just because it's overtime. How you play can't change. You want to make sure you're not overly protective of the finality of giving up a chance, so you soften your gap, which is not how we play," said Maurice.

"It seems more painful than a regulation loss because you have players that either feel really good about scoring the winner, or a bunch of guys that feel really bad about being on the ice for the goal. You have to make sure they rebound right, and handle the next game right."

The Jets have won 12 consecutive games on home ice, including three in the First Round over the Minnesota Wild.

The excitement for Game 3 is evident. The atmosphere inside Bridgestone Arena in the first two games of the series made for exciting hockey, and the Jets know the fans inside and outside Bell MTS Place will provide a big boost to the club.

"I wasn't fazed as much as I thought I would be there. The atmosphere is awesome, and a little bit crazy," Hellebuyck said of the fan chants in Nashville.

"I like ours a lot more.… I'm looking forward to tomorrow and seeing how much this amps up."

ICE CHIPS The seven skaters (and three goaltenders) that did take part in the optional practice included Nikolaj Ehlers, , Shawn Matthias, Marko Dano, Joel Armia, Mathieu Perreault, Dmitry Kulikov, Hellebuyck, Steve Mason, and Michael Hutchinson.

Armia and Kulikov were in a non-contact jerseys, while Perreault could be an option for Maurice - but that was as much of an update as the head coach was willing to give.