It’s early, but so far the Winnipeg Jets look like a juggernaut in going up 2-0 in their first-round series against the Minnesota Wild.
While the Wild can take some solace in the idea that the series switches to Minnesota for Games 3 and 4, falling 4-1 has to be disheartening because of the way this latest contest played out. For the second straight game, Devan Dubnyk kept them in the contest for quite some time; Winnipeg only held a 1-0 lead heading into the third period despite what was a 27-14 edge in shots on goal.
None of that really mattered as Winnipeg just wouldn’t be denied. Again.
[NBC’s Stanley Cup Playoff Hub]
After Game 1, it was noted that the Wild don’t seem suited to trade blows with the Jets, and that story carried over to Friday. Some might even say that Dustin Byfuglien’s monstrous hit on Mikko Koivu is a quicky synopsis of this one-sided start to the series.
Dustin Byfuglien said tonight was “just another day at the office.”
— Scott Billeck (@ScottBilleck) April 14, 2018
Asked what a big hit like the one he put on Mikko Koivu means and he said it “makes him smile.” #NHLJets
Again, the Wild shouldn’t just roll over here. After all, they went 27-6-8 at home during the regular season. They can look to the Flyers’ turnaround from Game 1 to Game 2 against the Penguins to note how quickly things can turn in the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Still, the Jets are a different animal than the Penguins, and some would argue that they are a more balanced, rugged, and frightening team. They’ve given Minnesota very little room to breath in this series, and it shows in the lopsided numbers.
#mnwild have no shots this period, 5 in the past 34 minutes, 32 seconds of the hockey game.
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) April 14, 2018
Things got nasty late in Game 2. It’s evident that the Jets have no issue mixing it up, either.
Heading into the postseason, the Jets were still trying to earn their first playoff win since the dawning of the Jets-Thrashers rendition of this franchise. It’s already fair to wonder how many teams will be able to take them down in a best-of-seven series.
Game 3 takes place in Minnesota on Sunday. It airs on USA Network starting at 7 p.m. ET.
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James O’Brien is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @cyclelikesedins.