Winnipeg still searches for its first playoff win since 1996.
Winnipeg has waited a long time for a playoff game, and the Jets must take advantage of that anticipation in order to avoid a 3-0 series hole to the Anaheim Ducks.
The Jets will host the Ducks in Game 3 of their Stanley Cup playoffs first round matchup on Sunday. It's the first playoff game in Winnipeg since 1996, so to say the home crowd will be buzzing is an understatement.
Aside from their fans, the Jets real weapon at home this season is their ability to score early and often. The only problem is the Ducks have rallied from late-game deficits to win in each of the first two games. Comebacks are sort of their thing.
With that in mind, Winnipeg must rely on a continued strong performance by goalie Ondrej Pavelec. Despite taking a loss in Game 2, Pavelec played fairly well with 37 saves on 39 shots. The key for the Jets, then, is to find some offensive support for him. Winnipeg only has three goals in the previous two games of the series. One of them was from Adam Pardy, who hadn't scored in four years until Friday night.
Meanwhile, Anaheim will look to keep throwing bodies around until Winnipeg wears down to the point of allowing a goal. The Ducks are averaging nearly 50 hits a night, making this one of the hardest-hitting series in the playoffs so far.
Game 3 coverage
9 p.m. ET | Game 3, Western Conference Round 1
MTS Centre | Winnipeg, Manitoba
Local: PRIME | Nat'l: NHL Network, NBCSN, SN
Live stream at NBC Live Extra
More coverage: Ducks Blog | Jets Blog
Source SBNation.com - All Posts http://ift.tt/1OyuS0T
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