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Jets take game 1 in surprise attack |
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They did it and it simply did not take long for the Jets to take a 3 goal lead and then win the game. It was tactical effort worthy of praise but it was also some luck and foresight. The opening goal with the drop pass to Byfuglien was a nice move to pull Fluery out but also off set so Buff had room for the shot which he did not miss.
That was Fluery’s first test. - fail
The second came on a Jets PP when after a few attempts at chances the captain found Laine for his patented one-timer that beat Fleury high as he tried to get over to cover across crease. It seems Laine knew where to test Fleury.
That was the second test. - fail
The third game in front of the net when Armia cut across and the puck came through and banked off his skate and past Fleury. The play and goal was waived dead but after two reviews it was deemed a good goal. How given the NHL war room’s past decisions is a mystery but again it counted and the Jets took it.
That was the third test. - fail
After that it didn’t really matter did it? The Jets added another goal and Vega had 2 but the home team was cruinsing and in control. Something the Golden Knights had not experienced as ty are usually the ones who push and take control. Even with 5 days off and rested legs of playing two less famed in the first two rounds the Knights were not ready for what the Jets threw at them.
The Knights had to start in the road unlike past series but it was not the home ice that determined the game’s fate. It was that the Jets are ‘that’ much better than the Knights’ previous opponents these playoffs. While the Kings had Doughty and Quick playing well and Kopitar their depth was nothing compared to Winnipeg’s. The Sharks posses Burns and Vlasic and a decent offence as well as unheralded Jones between the pipes but they are not as deep as Winnipeg.
What happened is the speed matchups the Knights have used to exploit opposition were not there. The Jets closed the gaps and did not give Vegas the opportunities that usually present themselves and they did it by skating into their space and playing smart positionally.
Byfuglien was all over the ice last night and unlike some games his team saw his play and covered. Blake Wheeler was particularly adept at makig the read and being in position. The other factor that helped the Jets was they back checked extremely well. The commitment to being aware of when to look and go helped minimize the Vegas attack.
Ryan Reaves- acquired at the deadline as part of the move to keep Brassard from going to winnipeg tried to play a role in the game by agitation and whatever else he does. Reaves is a thug and he chose to target Byfuglien which is silly. Honourable that he chose some one in his weight class but silly because Buff does not take that bait. Reaves was inneffective to say the least and if Gallant wants him lumbering around taking up space and skill it’s ideal for the Jets especially if he tries to annoy Jets players.
He played few minutes but the impact- or lack thereof is. Considering f the Jets managed their minutes well with only 4 players over 20 mins for the night it also speaks to matchups. The Vegas defence has to deal with the league’s number 2 offence. Of all playoff teams LA was the worst in goals for scored in regular season and San Jose was 6th worst.
We’re not in Kansas anymore although the flat landscape of the prairies may seem the same. The Golden Knights are in a dog fight against a team that’s deeper and better and already played the best team from the regular season and beat them. Things will change and Vegas won’t go away easy but they have to do a lot more than in the previous rounds.
Winnipeg Jets Blogger •Winnipeg Jets Writer • 
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