Playoff Preview – Game 2: Jets look to get even against Ducks

Hopefully the playoff jitters are out of the way for the Winnipeg Jets.

Now, it’s back to business.

Trailing 1-0 in their best-of-seven series, the Jets will look to get even when they face the Anaheim Ducks in Game 2 Saturday night at the Honda Center.

The Jets (version 2.0) made their post-season debut since relocating to Winnipeg from Atlanta three years ago and dropped a 4-2 decision to the Ducks.

The game featured a combined 83 hits as both teams brought a high level of physicality.

“You got your money’s worth from (Game 1),” Jets head coach Paul Maurice told the team’s website on Friday. “If you want to see two teams go at it, that was a good, physical hockey game, and it was fun to be a part of.”

Let’s break down Game 2.

Lines provided by DailyFaceoff.com.

If the Jets want to hang around in this series, they’re going to need more production from their top line. Captain Andrew Ladd has not scored in his last 12 games, while Bryan Little has just one assist in his last six games since returning from an injury.

Drew Stafford and Adam Lowry scored goals for the Jets in Game 1.

Centre/winger Mathieu Perreault (lower body) practiced on Friday and will once again be a game-time decision heading in the second match.

Mark Stuart led the Jets in hits in Game 1 with eight. 

“I knew it was going to be a physical game,” Stuart told the Jets website. “It’s playoff hockey. It’s what you expect.”

Dustin Byfuglien was held in check in Game 1, logging just over 20 minutes of ice time with a minus-1 rating and two giveaways.

Ondrej Pavelec’s playoff debut didn’t go exactly as planned. Pavelec made 33 saves in Game 1,but took the loss after letting in two power-play goals in the third period.

Game 1 of this series was the Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf show. Perry netted two goals in the third period — including the game winner — while Getzlaf had a goal and two assists.

Sami Vatanen, who led all Ducks defencemen in scoring this season, had a big Game 1 performance with a goal and two assists.

Frederik Andersen was stellar in the opening game of the best-of-seven series, turned aside 25 of 27 shots to lead the Ducks to victory.

“I think he’s calmer in the net,” Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau told the Orange County Register. “When he’s calm, we’re calm.”

Game 2 Prediction: The Jets can’t go back to the MTS Centre down two games to none. As the Ducks’ big guns came to play in the opening match, expect the Jets’ stars to shine in Game 2. Jets 4 Ducks 3

Obvious Prediction: The Jets need to stay out of the penalty box. Period.

Not So Obvious Prediction: The Ducks dominated the faceoff circle in Game 1. Little, Lowry and Mark Scheifele were all under 35% and will need to be more efficient in that department to compete against the Ducks.