Peter Tessier: The Next Step Begins....Wednesday Taking the first look at the two central division teams set to face off Wednesday night.

Citing the Blues 11-8 record over the past 19 games and then stating "[N]either team has been spectacular down the stretch"] overlooks the 9-1-2 record of the Blues in their last 12. That seems to me to be a very solid if not "spectacular" stretch run.

Yes, Blues have been very hot the past couple of weeks.

I think this series is completely 50/50. I hope Laine stays dormant.

Yes. There has been a lot of criticism and some downright panic on this board regarding the Jets chances. I'm guilty of that to some degree but the bulk of mine was directed to Laine's poor play in the second half, and the play of the first PP under Trouba. I'm hoping Maurice finds a way to fix those two important issues.

That all being said a healthy and well rested Buff and Morrissey is going to make a world of difference for this hockey team. The whiteout is also a big factor. Yes , we lost out on first place but in the end the only difference was a loss of ONE home game in a second-round matchup. Stars of Blues really are about the same .

Most of the hockey analysts rank the Jets and Blues about equally in the series. An equal number have each team going to the finals. Likely a six or seven-game series. I think that its a new season starting now and the Jets will be there in full force when it matters most. Jets in 6. Good goaltending will be very important.

Citing the Blues 11-8 record over the past 19 games and then stating "
- atlantis17[N]either team has been spectacular down the stretch"] overlooks the 9-1-2 record of the Blues in their last 12. That seems to me to be a very solid if not "spectacular" stretch run.

Everyone gets hot i tried to take a post trade deadline view. That’s not diminishing the short term record just providing perspective for part of what they have done this second half.

Honestly, how many times now have you referenced stats prior to and after Christmas or whatever date you are using? Seriously PETE, your like my high school girlfriend who just couldn’t accept we broke up and kept talking about the past. Get the net, move on. It’s playoffs baby!!!!

I just posted this on twitter so I’ll post it here to.
Jets are just keeping Maurice until Hawerchuck says he’s ready, then he will also bring with him Pauly MAC and SCOTTY Arniel to be his wing men. We will go full Oiler strategy with an old Jets club, can’t go wrong!!!!!

How about some predictions on here. Who wins the first series in each match-up in the West. That includes you Pete.

Jets in 6
Dallas in 7
San Jose in 7
Calgary in 5

Based on the way the Jets played this year, if Hellebuyck doesn't have .940 sv% in the series the Jets lose.

I just posted this on twitter so I’ll post it here to.
Jets are just keeping Maurice until Hawerchuck says he’s ready, then he will also bring with him Pauly MAC and SCOTTY Arniel to be his wing men. We will go full Oiler strategy with an old Jets club, can’t go wrong!!!!!
- Ross77

Your last line is frightening as the old Oiler strategy didn't work out in Oilerville. So, I am chalking this up to cynicism, right?

How about some predictions on here. Who wins the first series in each match-up in the West. That includes you Pete.

Jets in 6
Dallas in 7
San Jose in 7
Calgary in 5
- jetsnation

I am going to go out on a limb and say, if the Avs get some decent tending, they will stretch the series to 7. Not saying who will win but the Avs future is dependent upon consistent tending.

I just posted this on twitter so I’ll post it here to.
Jets are just keeping Maurice until Hawerchuck says he’s ready, then he will also bring with him Pauly MAC and SCOTTY Arniel to be his wing men. We will go full Oiler strategy with an old Jets club, can’t go wrong!!!!!
- Ross77

We should hire Tkachuk too. Just don't put him in charge of fitness.

Jets in six
Nashville in five
Calgary in four
Vegas in six

Good setup of the series Pete.

Jets in 7
Nash in 5
Cal in 5
Vegas in 7

Jets in 7
Nash in 5
Cal in 5
Vegas in 7
- grahamzky

The Jets have to play desperation hockey again, and Hellebuyck has to be their MVP and play like George Vezina though - same as last year. Hope Tanev is back!

Morrissey in, Beaulieu out?

If the Jets play like they did against their last game against Nashville the will take the blues in 5 games. If Ehlers, Laine, Little and Hellebuyck wake up and play the way they can no team in the west can match the Jets.

Blues weren't impressive down the stretch??? 2nd best record in the NHL since the All Star break (23-6-4) I'd say we looked pretty impressive ha.

Flames in 6
Sharks in 7,
Nashville in 6
Blues in 7

Should be a fun series!

How about some predictions on here. Who wins the first series in each match-up in the West. That includes you Pete.

Jets in 6
Dallas in 7
San Jose in 7
Calgary in 5
- jetsnation

Jets in 6
Nashville in 6
Vegas in 5
Calgary in 6

Your last line is frightening as the old Oiler strategy didn't work out in Oilerville. So, I am chalking this up to cynicism, right?
- CharlieDog

The Hawerchuck stuff I believe the oiler strategy was sarcasm

We should hire Tkachuk too. Just don't put him in charge of fitness.
- BWJumper

😆

Blues weren't impressive down the stretch??? 2nd best record in the NHL since the All Star break (23-6-4) I'd say we looked pretty impressive ha.

Flames in 6
Sharks in 7,
Nashville in 6
Blues in 7

Should be a fun series!
- cuethenoise

11-8 since March 1. Short term they were 9-2 I think but since March 1 teams hav been near equal. Again I tried to pick a date and run with it. I think I covered the amazing run they had since Jan 1- unprecedented really.

Blues weren't impressive down the stretch??? 2nd best record in the NHL since the All Star break (23-6-4) I'd say we looked pretty impressive ha.

Flames in 6
Sharks in 7,
Nashville in 6
Blues in 7

Should be a fun series!
- cuethenoise

Jets are going to crash Binnington's net whenever possible and irritate the hell out of Tarasenko by constantly pestering him and not giving him any space. Hopefully we can sick Tanev , Perreault, or Lowry on him.

Jets are going to crash Binnington's net whenever possible and irritate the hell out of Tarasenko by constantly pestering him and not giving him any space. Hopefully we can sick Tanev , Perreault, or Lowry on him.
- jetsnation

I don't think I've ever seen a goalie as level headed and cool as Binnington so not sure that will work. Interesting to see if he can do it when it counts. Problem is you key on Senko you have O Reilly and Schenn on the top line that will bury it. Plus we have all 4 lines scoring right now Since Feb:

Senko 15 G, O Reilly 10, Barbashev 8, Schwartz 8, Pietrangelo 8, Schenn 8, Dunn 7 Perron 6 (in 12 GP), Bozak 6, Steen 4, Sundqvist 4, Thomas 4. We had 14 players in double digits in goals....

I hate to say it but its Blues in 4 to me. Whoever thinks the Jets stand a chance at winning more than 1 game is getting caught up in what the Jets look like on paper but are ignoring what has really been a mediocre team since the start of the year.