Canadian-Jets | A first in history!

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Mathias Brunet
Press

We can analyze the formations of the two teams from every angle and dissect the most obscure statistics, one element remains essential to consider first: in what physical and moral state will the players of the Canadiens be for the second round after a grueling seven-game streak against the Leafs?

The Jets have the luxury of healing their wounds after eliminating the Oilers in four straight games. But it is also a double-edged sword. The Canadian was able to create a wander to go over the games, while that of the Jets was interrupted by nine days of hiatus.

The Jets haven’t had a good end to the season, but they have two advantages over the Maple Leafs.

First their goalie, Connor Hellebuyck, one of the best in his profession: Hellebuyck, 28, winner of the Vézina trophy in 2020, was smoking against the Oilers. He’s posted a 1.90 goals-against average and won his three overtime games. Hellebuyck knows the tobacco of the playoffs, unlike Jack Campbell of the Leafs, whose first experience it was.

Although the Jets have changed their face a bit with the departures of Patrik Laine, Dustin Byfuglien, Jacob Trouba and Tyler Myers in recent years, they have been through at least one more trench warfare than the Leafs in the playoffs. Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner never made it through the first round, Mark Scheifele, Blake Wheeler and Josh Morrissey reached the four aces in 2018.

The Jets brought together their first three forwards, Scheifele, Wheeler and Kyle Connor, in a first line against the Oilers. The return to health of right winger Nikolaj Ehlers allows them to count on a very solid second line with Paul Stastny in the center and Pierre-Luc Dubois on the left wing.

Despite all their talent on offense, the Leafs pulled it off on the power play with a 13% success rate. The Jets posted a 30% save efficiency rate against the Oilers, almost one goal in every three attempts. We will quickly know if the Leafs’ failures in this area are attributable to their lack of opportunism or to the efficiency of the disadvantaged Canadian, since they occupy the first row short of a player after a round.

The Jets have an underrated defense. Their number one, Josh Morrissey, is less explosive than Morgan Rielly, but probably more effective. Neil Pionk is very offensive, but can be vulnerable defensively when under pressure. Winnipeg’s other defenders look like the Canadiens.