GAMEDAY: Jets vs Canadiens (Game 3)

MONTREAL -Even though they're trailing the best-of-seven series against the Montreal Canadiens 2-0, there is a sense of calm around the Winnipeg Jets as they prepare for Game 3 tonight.
It's well documented that two years ago, the Jets turned a series deficit like this one into a 2-2 tie against the St. Louis Blues in the exact same situation.
While this is a new team and a new season, it's still experience that can be leaned on.
However, they can't think about tying the series before they think about getting a win in Game 3, so that's where all the focus lies as the Jets prepare for puck drop at Bell Centre tonight.
"What you're trying to create is a certain amount of freedom, so there isn't a tension in their game," said head coach Paul Maurice. "We do need to go quicker, we need to move the puck faster, and we have to get our feet going a little bit. There is a certain amount of freedom that you have to feel out there - a confidence, a looseness - without being casual."

For the second straight contest, Paul Stastny will be a game-time decision. Just as he did prior to Game 2, the veteran forward was on the ice for morning skate. He wasn't able to play in Game 2, and the Jets hope that changes tonight.
Getting Stastny in the line-up would be a boost as the Jets will once again be without Mark Scheifele (serving the second game of his four-game suspension) and defenceman Dylan DeMelo, who suffered a lower-body injury in Game 1.

Even with names like Scheifele, Stastny, and DeMelo out of the line-up, the Jets felt they made progress in some key areas in Game 2, despite the 1-0 loss.
"I thought we got back to playing a more stingy defensive game, limiting their chances," said Derek Forbort. "Obviously, in the third we had to open it up a bit to try and tie it up. But going forward here, we need to keep playing at that same way, generating a little more offence and getting in front of Carey Price's eyes."
Still, they know this is a results-based business, especially during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Canadiens have managed to block a combined 30 shots in the first two games of the series, with 19 of those coming on Friday night.

The Jets have a total of 60 shots on goal this series, with 20 of those coming from defencemen. Winnipeg's blue liners want to try and get more pucks through in an effort to make things more difficult on Price.
"As a defenceman not only are you trying to beat that first layer, that first forward that's coming after you, but you're also looking for your teammates to, but not only that there's potentially another defenceman in the second layer that's going to block the shot," said Neal Pionk. "If they block it, it feeds their transition. So, yeah, it's definitely a skill to be able to get a puck through."
For the forwards, they want to get to the front of the net and create more traffic - from there, they're in a prime spot for rebounds and deflections. If they aren't able to get their stick on the puck, they want to get in Price's line of sight.
Of course, that's all easier said than done. Jordie Benn - who saw his first postseason action of this season in Game 2 - played over 170 regular season games with the Canadiens between 2017 and 2019.

During that time, he played with Shea Weber, Jeff Petry, and Ben Chiarot, and knows how difficult those three defencemen - all over 6'3" and 205 pounds - make getting to the front of the net for opponents.
"They know exactly what they need to do to keep guys out of the front of the net," said Benn. "That's definitely a challenge for us, to get in behind them and bang away. But we've got guys who are willing to do it."
All of those things - getting to the front of the net, getting shots through shooting lanes - are possible when the Jets move their feet.
That's where it all starts.
"We feel that we can skate better than we did. You saw it in Game 2 over Game 1, but we think there's another level for us," said Maurice. "That quickness, the puck movement or the feet impacts all parts of your game - breakouts, counters, also defence. How you defend the gap that you close. We're hoping to build over the course of this seven-game series."
Puck drop is set for 5 pm CT.
-- Mitchell Clinton, WinnipegJets.com
Game Notes
The Winnipeg Jets look to earn a victory in Game 3 against Montreal after dropping Game 1 and 2 on home ice at Bell MTS Place.
The Jets dropped the first two games of this series at home by scores of 5-3 and 1-0. The Jets lost the first two games of their first round series with the St. Louis Blues in 2019 before winning Game 3 and 4 on the road.
The Jets enter Game 3 in Montreal on a three-game road playoff winning streak dating back to last season. The Jets are 5-2 in their past seven road playoff games and have won at least one road game in five of their past six playoff series.
As a team, the Jets are second during the playoffs with a 53.7% face-off winning percentage. Winnipeg was 13th in the. Regular season in face-offs at 50.5%. Adam Lowry is leading the Jets, and is ninth in the NHL, during the playoffs with a 56.5% winning percentage.
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