Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperMatt18
Jets averaged 31.4 hits per game in round 1, Nashville averaged 30 hits per game in round 1.
I'm not sure there is that big a difference in physicality between these two teams.
If the Jets win this series it will be because IMO they have more true offensive gamebreakers than the Predators, and the defense and goaltending match-up is pretty close.
Also a big difference in a series as close as this one is comes down to special teams at times.
Winnipeg: PP-5TH, PK- 9TH
Nashville: PP-14TH, PK-6TH
Advantage to Winnipeg in that area as well.
Going to go Winnipeg in 6 games in this one, that team is just clicking and healthy at the right time and that is a huge deal come playoff time.
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My point was that in the regular season the Jets hit a lot more than Nashville. In the playoffs Nashville changed their game to get within the margin of error in hits/game.
I think that physical play (hitting) comes more natural to Winnipeg and Nashville is stepping out of its regular season comfort zone.
The physically play in the playoffs goes way up Minnesota had 22 hits/game against the Jets and almost matched them hit for hit the first game. Over the series they were up over 6 hits a game from their regular season. But by the 3rd game the bruises were more significant that the adrenaline. They reverted back to their non-physical norm.
hits game 1 Jets 39 Wild 31
game 2 Jets 38 Wild 23
game 3 jets 26 Wild 19
game 4 jets 24 Wild 19
game 5 Jets 30 Wild 14
I would be shocked if the Pred's top-4 defense don't get hit 2-3 times as much as they take in the regular season. By game 3-4 they will not be as anxious to take a hit to make the play.
The same goes for Enstom, Morrissey and Trouba on the Jets who will be targeted.
Byfuglien (260) Myers (230) and Chiarot (220) will wear down the hitters. They are all bigger than all of the Predators defensemen.