After taking a quick glimpse of the title of this article, you may have thought that this article was about the Winnipeg Jets‘ first round exit to the eventual Stanley Cup Champions in the first round of the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs, but that is not the case.
After completing the sweep in the first round against the Edmonton Oilers, the Jets need to learn a lesson from that playoffs. No not from their own mistakes, but from the Eastern Conference bracket.
The Eastern Conference playoff bracket during the spring of 2019 can be simply called the year of the sweep.
The Winnipeg Jets need to learn from the 2019 playoff year that teams that sweep are susceptible of going out quick in the subsequent round
If you look at that year’s playoff, there were two sweeps in the first round. The New York Islanders took all four games against the Pittsburgh Penguins, while the Columbus Blue Jackets did the same against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Islanders were awaiting the winner of the Washington Capitals vs. Carolina Hurricanes series. Ultimately that series went seven games, in which Carolina won.
On the other side, the Boston Bruins also won their series that went seven games against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Those teams that waited around for their opponents bowed out quickly in the second round. Carolina swept the Islanders, meanwhile, the Bruins took down Columbus in six games.
Again, the Hurricanes had extra rest before the Eastern Conference Finals and then Boston swept Carolina to win the conference.
Then as we all know, the Blues won their series against the Sharks and then they took home the Stanley Cup in game seven of the Final.
As we see by that playoff, the team that waits for their opponent struggled mightily in the next round. There was an advantage to the team that had less rest and jumped right into their next series.
The Winnipeg Jets must keep their foot to the pedal during the time off as they wait for their next opponent. Game one in the upcoming second round is going to be huge for the Jets. Winnipeg must pick up their game right where they left off.
Winnipeg Jets Fans: Who do you think the Winnipeg Jets will play against in the second round? Leave your comments below!
*All Stats Provided by the NHL*