If Round 1 was a moving vehicle, it would be driving through the “Whiteout” tonight, as the Avs and Jets embark on Game 5 north of the Border.
The puck drops at 9:30 pm EST, and since that Game 1 barn-burner, we’ve seen the same movie in the last three games.
In Games 2 and 3, Winnipeg had a 2-1 lead halfway through the second period, before the Avalanche flipped the proverbial switch, and took both games over. In Game 4, the Jets never had the lead, but had the game tied 1-1, until yet again, the second period hit the ten-minute mark, and the Avs closed out the period up 4-1.
We expect this kind of offense from the Avs, but the goaltending predictions have been flipped on their heads, and the careless penalties from Winnipeg have just added fuel to the fire.
Superstars Showing Up for the Avs
What’s that saying we always hear? Star players need to be star players? Well, we’ve seen that in spades through four games in this series.
The Avs have scored 23 goals so far. Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar have 15 points. Nichushkin and Rantanen have combined for 12 points. 23 goals and four players have 25 points.
There are a lot of things you can point to for Colorado’s success.
Georgiev has had a massive three games, allowing only five goals in that stretch. He allowed seven in the first game alone.
Lehkonen and Mittelstadt solidified the Avalanche’s speed and depth by combining for 12 points and a +8.
But the bottom line is, their stars have been stars, and it’s hard seeing anyone, let alone the Jets, slowing down this team for four out of seven games in these playoffs.
Hellebuyck is the Main Answer for the Jets
The Jets finished 15th in the league in goals per game this regular season. Their leading point-getter was Mark Scheifele with 72. After that, Morrissey, Connor, and Ehlers were in the sixties and a bunch of guys in the thirties.
You don’t have to look at stats to know that doesn’t remotely compare with the Avs.
The 7-6 result in Game 1 was never going to cut it for the Jets. They needed to bring Colorado down to their speed, and they just haven’t done it. They’ve won games 2-1 all year long, and this series was going to be no different.
On the defensive side of things, they had only one player have a plus/minus in the negatives. One. That tight defensive approach has not worked whatsoever, and without it, they quite simply do not have a chance. Even if they find a way to win this game.
There is only one player who has the key to a series comeback. Connor Hellebuyck.
Hellebuyck has allowed 19 goals on 146 shots. Consequently, he has a 5.22 GAA and a .870 SV%. The Avs are going to shoot the puck and do it a lot. The Avs are going to get high-quality chances. They just are. Hellebuyck has to be better, that’s all there is to it. It’s easy enough to say, but that’s how the Jets have won all year, and it’s not changing in this series.
What to Expect in Game 5
The “Whiteout” will be in full effect in Winnipeg, and there’s no doubt the Canada Life Centre will be a welcomed sight for the Jets, after a short yet brutal road trip.
Namestnikov took a puck off the face on Sunday and is more than likely not on the ice tonight. Brenden Dillon has a lacerated hand and is also questionable for Game 5.
For the guys playing, they have 30 minutes in games two through five to lean on. They did what they had to do in the first half of every game. All they have to do is double it, and they will live to see another day.
But can they?
The ability to flip the switch has been a constant talking point for the Avs in this series. However, the Jets are fighting for their lives. I’m expecting a tight, slow-paced hockey game, but the end result falls on the shoulders of both of the goaltenders.
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