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Winnipeg Jets Vs Vegas Golden Knights: NHL Playoff Preview

By Kyle McCarthy

WINNIPEG, MB - FEBRUARY 1: Brandon Tanev #13 of the Winnipeg Jets plays the puck away from Brad Hunt #77 of the Vegas Golden Knights during second period action at the Bell MTS Place on February 1, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The Knights defeated the Jets 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images)
WINNIPEG, MB - FEBRUARY 1: Brandon Tanev #13 of the Winnipeg Jets plays the puck away from Brad Hunt #77 of the Vegas Golden Knights during second period action at the Bell MTS Place on February 1, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The Knights defeated the Jets 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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The Winnipeg Jets have a solid defensive corps, led by the heroic efforts of Dustin Byfuglien. The Golden Knights have played fantastic defensive hockey, however.

I’ll be honest with you here. Brayden McNabb, the Golden Knights’ top defenseman, is just about the only one I could’ve named. They also trot out Colin Miller, the bruising Deryk Engelland, Luca Sbisa, Shea Theodore and Nate Schmidt.

Schmidt and Miller have the best offensive games, but the team really had to focus on their plan. Having an expansion draft is a tough way to get top-end talent, especially on the blueline. Vegas knew the players who fit their system and drafted accordingly.

They turned a group of decent defenseman and made it a Cup contender. That’s impressive. It’s not Tyler Myers, Jacob Trouba, Dustin Byfuglien and Josh Morrissey impressive.

There are bruisers, skaters, shooters and passers in that group.  Nobody is a weak link. That group allowed Winnipeg to keep Nashville from lighting it up in their series.

The Golden Knights have played fantastic defense this season, especially in the playoffs. We’ll get to the main reason in a bit, but the cohesive defensive schemes and team play have been a key cog. Underestimating this team is going to be a problem, but their players can’t match Winnipeg’s talent. Edge: Winnipeg Jets

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