I have copies of the 16 playoff wins from the Cup run on DVD. I’ve been saving them for a rainy day. With the suspension of regular hockey, I’m starting to get antsy. However, I’m not sheltering in place since my job continues to be needed during the pandemic. My point is that I’m going to take my time going through these, try to savor the process.
That said, I was surprised that my memory of Game 1 was different than what I appreciated upon rewatching.
Game 1 - vs Winnipeg
First of all, I loved the atmosphere. Heckling Binnington, booing him every time he touched the puck. If there is a fan base that he has earned respect from, I would put Winnipeg high on that list. His swagger and confidence were oozing. The late game save on Byfuglien was a game-stealer.
I was surprised to see that the game was really pretty even. The Jets controlled a lot of the puck. Shots were pretty even, despite a Blues PP advantage. Winnipeg could have easily won that game, and it was probably a game that deserved to go to OT. I didn’t think Hellyebuk, however that’s spelled, played poorly. The Jets were physical and they played their system well.
Robert Thomas looked like a rookie. He “almost” did some good things so many times, but then he’d get muscled off the puck or turn it over. The tantalizing glimpses of talent were there, but it’s night and day with how effective he already is right now. But they needed to protect him.
He was on the ice for the game winner. Bozak had several tasty opportunities, and couldn’t get one through. One was a primo pass from Thomas. That line was showing the best chemistry. This was a game where the 4th lone was Steen-Barbashev-Sundqvist. Those guys hadn’t stepped forward yet, or not as much as Thomas-Bozak-Maroon.
Pietro took a lot of hits, and seemed to just shrug everything off.
Both teams had 2 posts that I counted. It could have been a higher score than 2-1 very easily.
Finally, Maroon was a beast. He held possession on the wall many times. He was yapping on the bench like crazy. And he had a beautiful assist to find Bozak on the game-winner. He was relentless on the puck, outworked 3 Jets, then flipped it straight up-ice from behind the side of the net to Bozak (with Thomas in the area) who finally put one past Hellybuk.
I think the team’s confidence as a group was evident. They played most of the game behind 0-1 and never deviated from their style of hockey. They’d learned over the late part of the season that they could win playing that way, and there was no panic when they trailed. If they’d lost the game, I doubt there would have been any panic then either.
That said, I was surprised that my memory of Game 1 was different than what I appreciated upon rewatching.
Game 1 - vs Winnipeg
First of all, I loved the atmosphere. Heckling Binnington, booing him every time he touched the puck. If there is a fan base that he has earned respect from, I would put Winnipeg high on that list. His swagger and confidence were oozing. The late game save on Byfuglien was a game-stealer.
I was surprised to see that the game was really pretty even. The Jets controlled a lot of the puck. Shots were pretty even, despite a Blues PP advantage. Winnipeg could have easily won that game, and it was probably a game that deserved to go to OT. I didn’t think Hellyebuk, however that’s spelled, played poorly. The Jets were physical and they played their system well.
Robert Thomas looked like a rookie. He “almost” did some good things so many times, but then he’d get muscled off the puck or turn it over. The tantalizing glimpses of talent were there, but it’s night and day with how effective he already is right now. But they needed to protect him.
He was on the ice for the game winner. Bozak had several tasty opportunities, and couldn’t get one through. One was a primo pass from Thomas. That line was showing the best chemistry. This was a game where the 4th lone was Steen-Barbashev-Sundqvist. Those guys hadn’t stepped forward yet, or not as much as Thomas-Bozak-Maroon.
Pietro took a lot of hits, and seemed to just shrug everything off.
Both teams had 2 posts that I counted. It could have been a higher score than 2-1 very easily.
Finally, Maroon was a beast. He held possession on the wall many times. He was yapping on the bench like crazy. And he had a beautiful assist to find Bozak on the game-winner. He was relentless on the puck, outworked 3 Jets, then flipped it straight up-ice from behind the side of the net to Bozak (with Thomas in the area) who finally put one past Hellybuk.
I think the team’s confidence as a group was evident. They played most of the game behind 0-1 and never deviated from their style of hockey. They’d learned over the late part of the season that they could win playing that way, and there was no panic when they trailed. If they’d lost the game, I doubt there would have been any panic then either.