The Winnipeg Jets and the Nashville Predators are on a collision course in the Western Conference Second Round, and the goals flew when the teams met in the regular season, combining for 42 goals in their 5 games.
Winnipeg isn’t looking to see that type of offensive output from Nashville in their playoff series, aiming to bring the defensive intensity in order to keep them in check.
“I think we’re going to try and avoid the 6-5 games like we had in the regular season,” Jets forward Adam Lowry said. “It’s going to be a tight-checking series. I don’t think you can expect games to be 6-5 every night. Like I said, both teams can score, both teams can defend. It’s going to be a good series.”
Nashville won the Presidents’ Trophy as the NHL’s top team, so the task will be a tall one for the Jets.
“It’s going to be a good test,” Lowry said. “[They were the] best team in the regular season. We’ve had some tight games against them. We know they have a lot of depth, both up front, on the back end and one of the best goalies in the League. We’re looking forward to that challenge.”
Jets coach Paul Maurice says that the series will be about the scorers and not the goalies.
“It’s on the shooters,” Maurice said. “You’ve got two guys with spectacular numbers and when they meet each other, you’ve got a lot of people that can score on the ice, so everybody’s going to have to be good. The team that wins the series is going to have more guys going.”
Winnipeg is hoping to keep defenseman P.K. Subban and Roman Josi in check.
“That’s been a pretty constant thing we’ve focused on all year,” Jets defenseman Tyler Myers said. “Staying above the puck, keeping things simple. When there’s a play to be made, we’ve always encouraged our group to make them when they’re there. Simple plays can be the most effective sometimes and they’ve obviously shown they have a very active back end, and we’ll have to be aware of it for sure.”
