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Time: 6:00 PM CST
Channel: Sportsnet (Canada/all regions), NBCSports?
Radio: TSN1290
The Winnipeg Jets are hoping to finally win their first playoff game after eight unsuccessful tries. They will do so against the Minnesota Wild. Both teams have strong offensive lines and are missing key defencemen: Winnipeg is missing Tobias Enstrom and the Wild are missing Ryan Suter. Both teams have strong goalies in Connor Hellebuyck and Devan Dubnyk. This series might turn on how the replacement defenders can perform and that is key. If Dustin Byfuglien can continue to carry his partner, the Jets might be all right until Enstrom returns.
The playoffs are a new season and a time for players to reset and start the season fresh. The referees call the playoffs differently, which might work in the favour of the Jets except they tend to ignore calls like interference and that can be detrimental for the likes of Nikolaj Ehlers and Kyle Connor.
Quote of the Day:
Blake Wheeler on if he needs to prepare the team’s younger contingent that lacks playoff experience: “There’s five skaters one each side, two goalies and one puck. We don’t need to re-invent the wheel.” #NHLJets
— Scott Billeck (@ScottBilleck) April 9, 2018
Prediction: The Jets FINALLY win their first playoff game.