The Winnipeg Jets are Better than the Golden Knights
The Winnipeg Jets had trouble in Game One of the Western Conference Semifinals, looking completely overmatched by the Nashville Predators. They came away with a win. Game One against Vegas? Same result, much different story.
The Winnipeg Jets came out hot. Maybe they were riding the momentum of the home crowd in Manitoba. Maybe they were riding high after dispatching the NHL’s best. Regardless, they wasted no time demoralizing the Vegas Golden Knights.
Yes, the final score was 4-2. That doesn’t seem like a beatdown. But the Jets took a lead and cruised, playing cautious hockey for two and a half periods. Would you like to see the team put their foot on the gas a little?
Sure. If they put six or seven on Vegas, got Marc-Andre Fleury pulled and embarrassed the whole team, it would be hard for Vegas to come back in Game 2 and feel good about winning. It would set them up to WANT to go back to Nevada down two games and try to sweep the two at home.
But the Winnipeg Jets showed that they can easily outplay the Golden Knights. Dustin Byfuglien, everyone’s favorite super villain, opened the scoring just sixty five seconds in.
More from Analysis
- Winnipeg Jets vs. Blackhawks Round 3: 5 Things We learned
- Winnipeg Jets’ Connor Hellebuyck is the Best Goalie of the Last 5 Years
- A Patrik Laine Trade Redux Prior to Winnipeg Jets vs. Columbus
- Winnipeg Jets Doppelgangers: Look-A-Likes PART II
- Can Josh Morrissey of the Winnipeg Jets Actually Win the Norris?
Vegas turned it over, Mark Scheifele took it past the blue line, and dropped a pass to the big defenseman. Byfuglien blasted a slapshot past Fleury for the quick 1-0 lead. That was pretty much it.
Patrik Laine scored on a powerplay a little over five minutes after that. Always nice to see him score on the man advantage. Mark Scheifele also scored on the powerplay, and the Jets went 2/4 in the situation.
The Winnipeg Jets needed little time to show everyone they’re a damn fine hockey team. Better than the Golden Knights. Better than maybe any hockey team.
That’s no knock on Vegas, they’re a great team with a really fine coach. They’ve exceeded every reasonable expectation. Only, that’s where this stops.
No, this series isn’t over. Maybe Gerard Gallant pulls his team together and Marc-Andre stands on his head four times. It’s plausible.
But when you have to squint and rationalize to see how this team can win, it’s pretty obvious which of the two teams is better. More high end talent, more depth.
Fleury has been great this postseason, by far the top goalie, and nearly was pulled in the first period. I’ve said it before and I’ve said it again, Vegas got the cupcake end of the playoff bracket. Everyone else has had to face a legitimate contender.
San Jose and Los Angeles are fine teams, but nobody anticipated them winning the Stanley Cup. I was even mildly surprised either squad made the NHL Playoffs. Mildly surprised, not flabbergasted. I don’t think that needed clarification I just never get to type flabbergasted. But whatever.
Tampa had Boston. Washington had the 2X reigning champion Penguins. The Winnipeg Jets had the President’s Trophy winner, the Nashville Predators. After dispatching Nashville, Vegas seems like a respite before the Cup.
Next: Jets Playoff Preview, Conference Finals
I know, I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself. The Winnipeg Jets are not miles better than the Golden Knights. But they are better. And now everyone has seen it.