Time: 7:00 PM CDT
Television: CBC/Sportsnet
Radio: CJOB 680
The Winnipeg Jets have their backs against the wall thanks to the Montreal Canadiens. The Habs have been playing textbook good hockey which is unexpected for them and the Jets have been unable to counter their good hockey which is not too unexpected. The Jets have long been hampered by their coaching and that continues to be the issue now. The Jets are not playing much differently than they were when they were facing the Edmonton Oilers, but Connor Hellebuyck is not shutting the door as much as he was in the first series. That shouldn’t be the difference between a series win and loss.
The Habs have been playing better than they have played in a long time. They are getting contributions from their fourth line of Corey Perry, Eric Staal, and Joel Armia. Armia stings because he is the player the Jets lost to get rid of Steve Mason, but the Perry/Staal combination is truly something else. Perry has been good for the Habs all year. He’s stayed on the right side of the line while contributing a bit offensively. He’s lost a lot of his ability to skate fast, but his hands have not aged at all.
The Jets have to change a lot in their game to win tonight. Based on what they said after game three, they are not ready to make any changes in their game or lineup. C’est la vie.
