TrueBlue4ever

Predators won the season series 3-1-1. CBC, SN 360 at 7:00 p.m. Tagline: "Catfish vs Goldeye" Storyline: The series everyone in the media wanted, and the one many prognosticators say will determine the Stanley Cup finalist, if not the champion. Quote: “If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best" - Donald Cerrone, American boxer (paraphrased by Ric Flair: "If you want to be the man, you gotta beat the man") Quote #2: "OK, hear me out: We cancel the playoffs and just let the Jets and Predators play a two-month best-of-31 series for the Cup." - Sean McIndoe on twitter after Winnipeg beat Nashville 5-4 at home March 25, Season review: Game 1: Nashville wins 5-3 at home Nov. 20, their 7th win in 8 games, and climb to 12-6-2, within one point of 12-5-3 Winnipeg. Rinne and Hellebuyck are the goalies. 3 goals by Nashville in the 2nd period decided the game, Jets trailed 5-1 before two late cosmetic goals made it appear closer. Game 2: Winnipeg wins 6-4 on the road on December 19, maybe their biggest win of the year, the one that gives hope that this team can go all the way. After giving up 2 goals in the final minute of the first to trail 2-1, the Jets roared back with 2 Nic Ehlers goals to lead 4-3 after 2. Nashville tied it up early in the 3rd before Branden Tanev won it with 86 seconds left. Hellebuyck and Rinne were the goalies, Jets climbed to 20-10-5 and moved to within a point of both Nashville and St. Louis for top spot in the Central, while stopping the Preds 8 game undefeated streak. Game 3: Nashville wins 6-5 in Winnipeg on February 27 in the game that would ultimately decide the President's Trophy. A scoreless first period gave way to old time 1980's hockey in the second, as the teams poured in 6 goals in the last half of the period. Back and forth play had the Jets up 4-3 going into the final stanza, and it looked promising when trade deadline pick-up Paul Stastny scored with 10 minutes left. But the joy was short-lived as Nashville tied it up within the next 4 minutes, before Nashville's own deadline acquisition Ryan Hartman broke their hearts with a last minute goal. Hellebuyck and Rinne again between the pipes, Roman Josi had 5 assists. It was the only time all year the Jets would lose a game in regulation when leading after 2. Predators won their 5th straight (en route to a 10 game winning streak) and moved to 39-14-9 while Winnipeg fell to 37-17-9. Game 4: Nashville wins 3-1 at home on March 13 as a tired Jets squad wrapped up a 6 game road trip. 3 goals in the first 9 minutes against Michael Hutchinson (2 of them shorthanded) settled the game early, but Hellebuyck shut out the Preds the rest of the way in relief. Only Kyle Connor could beat Rinne on this night. Nashville jumped to 45-14-10 and into a tie for the league lead, while Winnipeg fell to 41-19-10. Little did we know then that the Jets would only lose once more to close out the regular season. Game 5: Winnipeg wins 5-4 in a shootout to clinch a playoff spot on March 25. Down 2-0 after 1 (including a last second goal against), Winnipeg roared back in the second to tie it at 3 before exiting the second down by a goal. It was Winnipeg's turn to turn a 3rd period deficit into a win when Blake Wheeler tied it one minute in. Mark Scheifele scored the only goal in the shootout against Juuse Saros while Hellebuyck stopped all 3 of his shootout foes. Jets climbed to 46-19-10 with win 5 of what would be a 6 for 6 home stand, while Nashville fell to 48-16-10. Fun fact: With 114 points, Winnipeg set an NHL record for most points in a season by a team that did not lead their division (or their conference, for that matter) in points. In fact, only 2 teams in NHL history have had more points in a regular season and not had home advantage in a series - Philadelphia had 118 when they went up against 127 point juggernaut Montreal in the 1976 Stanley Cup finals, and 115 point Montreal lost to 117 point Calgary in the 1989 Cup finals . The 231 combined points for these teams is the 6th highest total all-time for playoff opponents (behind the 2 aforementioned pairings, Montreal (129)-Boston (113) in the '78 Final, Montreal (132) - NYI (106) in the '77 semi-final, and that same Montreal team against Boston (106) in the '77 Cup Final. Fun fact #2: Since the original expansion in 1967-68, the #1 and #2 regular season teams have met a total of 14 times, but only 7 since the league went to a full 4 round playoff series in 1980. The #1 team has won 10 of 14, but the #2 team has won the last 2. No meeting had ever occurred earlier than the Conference Finals before last year, but the Jets-Preds meeting is the second straight year the #1 and #2 teams have met in Round 2, after Pittsburgh and Washington did it for the first time ever just last season: Mtl (1) 4-2 over Bos (2), 1969 semi-finals Bos(2) 4-0 over Chi (1), 1970 semi-finals Bos (1) 4-2 over NYR (2), 1972 Finals Phi (2) 4-2 over Bos (1), 1974 Finals Phi (1) 4-2 over Buf (2), 1975 Finals Mtl (1) 4-0 over Phi (2), 1976 Finals Mtl (1) 4-2 over Bos (2), 1978 Finals Edm (1) 4-1 over NYI (2), 1984 Finals Edm (1) 4-1 over Phi (2), 1985 Finals Edm (1) 4-3 over Phi (2), 1987 Finals Cal (1) 4-2 over Mtl (2), 1989 Finals NYR (1) 4-3 over NJ (2), 1994 Conf. Finals (In double OT!) Col (2) 4-2 over Det (1), 1996 Conf. Finals Pit (2) 4-3 over Was (1), 2017 Division Finals

In the end, the Pens were too much, but boy the refs did not do the Flyers any favours. at 5-4 Pens in the 3rd, Voracek gets slew-footed by Guetzel and they call him for embellishment. 4 on 4 instead of a power play (which would have become a 5 on 3 once Letang takes a penalty). Then Letang obviously trips Couturier, forcing a turnover to Guetzel, should have been 2 minutes but ends up a goal and 6-4, game over,

Death From Above would be an awesome playoff slogan, but you know it would never be used lest we offend those already in a twist that we have "machines of war" as our logo. Yes, that issue was a real thing from the chattering masses when the team came back. I think it was the "Save the Eatons/Thin Ice" crowd.

Jets lead the series 3-1. SN 6:30 pm start time Tagline: "Land of 10,000 lakes @ Land of 100,000 lakes" Storyline: Jets come home to try and wrap up their first ever series victory in 2.0 history, without Josh Morrissey in the lineup, but possibly with Tyler Myers back again. Minnesota tries to stay alive with $196 million up in the press box (Suter and Parise for the uninformed). Quote: “No one has a problem with the first mile of a journey. Even an infant could do fine for a while. But it isn't the start that matters. It's the finish line.” ― Julien Smith, The Flinch Quote #2: "Well that was fun. Winnipeg fans seem to have made an impression! The difference is I've never had to ask you to join me. You sing loud and proud every time!" - Stacey Nattress on twitter, in response to the Minnesota anthem singer imploring fans to sing along "so they can hear us in Winnipeg". Fun fact: After Tuesday night, Connor Hellebuyck is now7-0-1 with 2 shutouts and a .949 save percentage in the next game played after giving up 5 or more goals. Fun fact #2: Hellebuyck's Vezina nomination is the third NHL award nomination for a Jet since the club re-located to Winnipeg (along with Laine's rookie nomination and Andrew Ladd's "Mark Messier leadership" nom) and only the second Jet goalie ever to be a finalist for the Vezina (Bob Essensa was the first in 1991-92 - he finished 3rd behind Patrick Roy and Kirk McLean)

If the league requests an in-person hearing, then they are able to dole out a suspension over 5 games if they feel it is appropriate. A phone hearing limits the maximum to 5 or under, that is my understanding. I guess the idea is that if they are going to throw the book at someone, they want to give that player a chance for a face-to-face interview to beg for mercy. A player can always decline the in-person hearing, but the mere offer allows the league to go heavy on the suspension. I'm guessing that he gets one game (playoffs usually slash the usual "regular season suspension length" in half. If Doughty got one game for that check to the head, I don't know how Morrissey avoids one given the specific targeting, the use of a stick, and the league's crackdown on headshots due to the concussion lawsuit pending. Plus, he already got supplemental discipline for that hit against the Bruins a few weeks ago, so repeat offender status will come into play even though the last one was just a fine (albeit the maximum).

I'll get it started. Sorry I wasn't around for game 4, thanks for filling in so much so far these playoffs.

Going back to the regular season, Jets now have 11 straight home wins, 7 straight wins overall and 13 of their last 14, and are on a 17-3-1 run. Also 15 straight April wins, and 22-4 since 2014 (the 4 losses being the Anaheim sweep).

Tagline: "Province of Puck vs. State of Hockey" or "Whiteout vs. Blue State" Storyline: Minnesota hopes home cooking can turn around the bad taste in their mouths from 2 straight losses. Quote: "The series don't really begin until the home team loses a game" - pretty much every coach who is down 2-0 and totally outplayed, grasping at some comfort, or a broadcaster trying to keep interest in a one-sided series. Quote #2: "Starting fights in the last minute to show that you are ready to show up for the next game is so stupid. Where were you for the first 59 minutes of this game?" - Randy Turner on twitter. Fun fact: This is only the third time in the Jets' NHL existence that they have been up 2-0 in a playoff series. The two previous times, they ended up losing game 3 but ultimately winning the series. The first was 1985 against Calgary (up 2-0 at home, lost game 3 on there Macoun cross-check, gutted out a game 4 road win with no Hawerchuk and a back-up goalie in net, to take the series 3-1). The second was also Calgary, this time with 2 road wins to start (including a Thomas Steen game winner in game 2 period 2 which crossed the line after the green light came on, but was counted - yay for no replay back then), then lost game 3 at home before taking a 3-1 lead back to Cowtown, and eventually winning in 6 games. These are also the only 2 playoff series ever won by the Jets' NHL franchise (pre-Phoenix relocation). Fun fact #2: Third period shots for each team from after the last Wild goal in game one up to the next Wild goal in Game 2 (a span of 35.5 minutes) : 32-3 for the Jets (after the 2-1 Wild goal Jets outshot them 16-1 the rest of the way, then last night shots were 14-0 until five minutes left, Wild scored on only their 3rd shot of the period, Jets had 16 of their 17 third period shots by that point).

Essensa actually started the 5-0 game.

Good call. Any guesses on the lottery numbers? https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/13/politics/trump-us-syria/index.html

Short answer: Jets were 4-3-2 on the first half of back-to-back games this year, and 5-3-1 for the latter game. Longer analysis (because, me): All 9 back-to-backs started on the road, only 2 of nine finished at home (Jets won both those home games, by shutout no less). They won both halves 3 times, lost both halves outright only once, went W-L once, L-W twice (both road start-home finish), and OTL-OTL once and OTL-L once. One of the back-to-backs was a home and home series (at StL, then home to StL, each team won the home game via shutout).

Wow, real torture being a Blues' fan this year. From the best record in the West at the supposed "lock them in" benchmark of Thanksgiving, to post-Christmas slump, to the white flag trading of Stastny, then the late hot streak that reclaimed control of their own playoff fate, to the current 3 game losing streak including a 6-0 drubbing to the Coyotes that has them back on life support. http://www.sportingnews.com/nhl/news/nhl-standings-thanksgiving-playoff-predictions-oilers-rangers-canadiens-devils/w58cfbud892d1pds7w0dyo1x5

We had more trouble with the Minne back-up this year, IIRC. Plus, they have Bruce Boudreau as coach, king of the regular season and playoff choke artist.

Minnesota looks like it salted away the #3 spot with their win last night. Not mathematically clinched but one more point any way does it. With the #1 defence pairing of Suter and Spurgeon out long term, and the short travel, I believe the Jets got the best possible match-up they could hope for in the first round. I would imagine Nashville would hope to pair up against Colorado (especially without Varlamov) as opposed to St. Louis (who are really inconsistent and likely road kill, but could find a way to have their talent play up to their capabilities and get a goalie go red-hot, and make life difficult for their opponent), or even more so Anaheim or LA (long travel, 2 heavy teams that know how to play tough playoff hockey, although if Gibson is injured Anaheim loses a ton there).

Fun Fact: with last night's win, this Jets' team now has 108 points, topping the WHA Jets of 1976 (with 106 points) as the most successful "Jets" team ever. That team won 52 games that year, still the best wins total ever. Also, the 108 matches the IHL Manitoba Moose of 1998-99 and beats the 107 the 2008-09 AHL club (who lost the Calder Cup Final) got, for the most successful seasons a pro "Winnipeg" hockey team has ever had.

Fun fact - Jets are 12-0-2 in April in the last 3 seasons in the regular season. Unfortunately they are also 0-4 in the playoffs over that same time frame.

We realistically lost any shot at Nashville when we blew that third period lead at home to them. Not a bad thing - a first round match-up against Minnesota would be the best travel-wise, which is no small thing given the two month grind that is the playoffs, IMO. Also, Ryan Suter may have broken his leg in their last game, so if they can hang on to 3rd they are a weakened opponent. And ditto on the thanks for the daily updates.

Major choke job by St. Louis losing to the Coyotes 6-0. That's a loss you can't afford this late in the year given the battle they are in.

The only downside to being in the playoffs is that we won't get to measure the Jets' success by the length of their playoff beards. Pretty much everyone already has one. Fun fact: the Toronto Maple Leafs have been in existence for 100 years. They have never had as many points in one season as the Jets have now.

The fans' stages of Laine grief: Stage 1: Laine blocks a shot appears to be in discomfort: Stage 2: Replay of the shot in slo-mo: Stage 3: Broadcaster says Laine being helped off the bench to the dressing room: Stage 4: Camera cuts to Laine being carried to dressing room, putting zero weight on his left foot: Stage 5: Laine does not return for the period, no updates forthcoming: Stage 6: Announced that Laine will not return tonight: Stage 7: all 3rd period: Stage 8: Post-game waiting for news: Stage 9: Maurice declares "We think he's going to be fine" Stage 10: Then Maurice cracks a joke about it: Stage 11: We await his appearance at the next practice: TBA - Stage 12 (version A): It's not going to be fine: TBA Stage 12 (version B): Laine returns to the ice:

Actually, the puck crossed the blue line when Saad was about 3-4 feet behind the line (if you watch the first replay of the goal with the camera on the opposite side). So when Toews crossed the line before Saad, the puck was already in the zone. Refs got it right.

Cheese steak vs Sal's Nip.

I notice you said "worse" and not "worst".

Not sure about anyone else, but I was secretly hoping Mason (and his large contract) got traded to Philly when they were desperate for a goalie, and we kept Hutch as the back-up. Will need that money for Laine, Morrissey and Trouba.

I have read with fascination the debate going on here, and although heated at times, kudos to everyone to focusing largely on the issues and offering insight into your positions you defend. Wasn't sure that was possible in a political thread (and you all seem more mature than some of the actual real politicians appear to be with regard to the entrenchment of their ideas). Open question to everyone: Trump has always screamed "No collusion" and witch hunt, and I could see him spinning the whole "fabrication of the Russian investigation" into, "I never said the Russians weren't up to stuff, all I said was whatever they did, it did not involve me, therefore no collusion - i.e. I never lied" (I imagine some revisionist history on his part to sell that new spin and not be caught in a contradiction somewhere, but not the ultimate point). So.... Imagine Meuller says clearly Trump's handlers colluded with Russia to manipulate the election to get him in for favours, lifting of sanctions and financial benefit for both sides, etc., but he cannot find evidence that Trump himself knew about it, i.e. that he was just a stooge for the real players in the party and was out of the loop. If Trump's ego is as big as purported, and he is that thin-skinned as portrayed, does that sting more than being labeled the mastermind? And would his ego allow him to be painted as a patsy, or would he pull the "of course I knew everything, I'm the smartest one here and only I could orchestrate such a scam (the Sideshow Bob occurrence)" Remember how he chafed at Hillary when she called him a puppet on live TV in the debates? "Not a puppet! You're the puppet!" (it was the 70 year old equivalent to the playground retort "I know you are but what am I?" Thoughts?