Heading into game two of their 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Western Conference Quarterfinal Series against the Colorado Avalanche, the Winnipeg Jets look to go up 2-0 after a wild game one that finished 7-6. Storylines ahead of game two, are the magnificent whiteout, Connor Hellebuyck‘s performance, and Cole Perfetti‘s status. Let’s take a look at these thoughts ahead of game two kicking off.
The Winnipeg Jets Riding the Whiteout Wave Again for Game 2 Tonight
What can we say about the magic of the wonderful whiteout? Having all the Winnipeg Jet faithful rocking their finest whites, the Canada Life Centre comes alive. Not to mention all the followers outside the arena. What an atmosphere! Jared Bednar described it simply “It gave me goosebumps as a coach.” Talk about being in the opponent’s kitchen if that’s their head coach’s reaction. Whatever the impact of the club, the Jets definitely seemed to ride the momentum. They would score four consecutive in game one to go up 6-3 at 5:51 into the third period thanks to a Kyle Connor power play goal. When you have a the goaltending that they are accustomed to having, that was more than enough.
Anything but a Battle of Goaltending
One part of the Jets game that they’d like to be better at is defensively since they did surrender six goals. However, as goaltender Connor Hellebuyck suggested: “This time of year, who cares about stats, really?” As he seemed off-put the reporter would suggest it mattered, given the team came away with the game-one victory. Really he has a point. Also, to his defence, he does have a point since Colorado did come back to make the game seem closer than it probably should have been. Makar made it 7-5 with over seven and a half minutes to go. In addition, they didn’t get it within one, until 30 seconds remaining, thanks to Casey Mittelstadt. Hellebuyck did have 40 saves in the win, which is still a strong number. Look for Winnipeg Jets Head Coach Rick Bowness to come up with a much more stingy, defensive game plan in game 2.
Notes in the Avs Net
Quickly on the other side of the puck, the Colorado Avalanche goaltending situation is less steady. Alexander Georgiev had a difficult outing allowing all seven Jet goals on just 23 shots. Or a .696 SV%. However, to compound the issue, it seems their backup goalie, Justus Annunen, was unavailable in game one. Based on game day practice reports, Ivan Prosvetov will be backing up Georgiev in tonight’s game. Could goaltending be the Achilles heel of the Avalanche? Quite possibly. One thing is for sure, Georgiev needs to have a big game to instill confidence in his teammates and coach.
Greetings from #Avs morning skate for GM2 in Winnipeg.
Georgiev & Prosvetov are here (Annunen is not). Girard in a non-PP jersey. Landeskog in assistant coach mode. pic.twitter.com/O7wSMwJSBr
— Kyle Fredrickson (@kylefredrickson) April 23, 2024
Cole Perfetti Will Not Be for the Winnipeg Jets in Game 2
One final lineup note ahead of game 2 for the Winnipeg Jets is on Cole Perfetti. The 22-year-old was fifth on the team in scoring in 2023-24 with 19 goals and 19 assists for 38 points. In contrast, and perhaps impressively really, he did so while only playing 13:35 a night. He was a healthy scratch in three games to end the season. He did get in the last game, only because the Jets were sitting some of their top guns. It was a great attempt to make his case to get in the lineup for game one, as he scored two goals. But no luck. Perfetti just mentioned that he just wants to be ready for action when it comes calling. “But if I get a shot down the road, just staying ready.” According to the Jets twitter, it appears to lineup changes from game one, so, Perfetti again finds himself on the outside looking in.
Line rushes this morning feature no changes from Game One 🏒 pic.twitter.com/26Z4ohd1t5
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) April 23, 2024
Main photo: James Carey Lauder-USA TODAY Sports
