Jets expecting fast-paced series against Golden Knights

WINNIPEG -After arriving just after 2 am CT in Winnipeg following the 5-1 win over the Nashville Predators in Game Seven, Winnipeg Jets captain Blake Wheeler was a bit "groggy" when he woke up Friday morning.
But he wouldn't have it any other way.
"Coffee tastes great this morning," said Wheeler, as his team prepares for Game One against the Vegas Golden Knights Saturday night at Bell MTS Place.
"We're still in the mix, still playing. When you have games like last night, you crawl out of bed, you're a little bit groggy, but you're excited to come to the rink today, see the guys, and get ready for another tough series. But it's going to be a lot of fun."

Both the Jets and the Golden Knights are playing in the first Western Conference Final for either franchise.
Vegas eliminated the Los Angeles Kings in the First Round, before ousting the San Jose Sharks in six games in the Second Round.
While Vegas may be an expansion team, Jets head coach Paul Maurice doesn't look at them with that label. He hasn't for a long time.
"The 109 points tells you how good they were," said Maurice, referring to the 51-24-7 record in the regular season, the best in the Pacific Division. "Outstanding transition and speed. So how they move the puck from their end in straight lines, and they'll make plays off that rush. It's going to be a very fast, speed based series. There will be contact in the zones, but that won't be the story.
"The team that defends the best through the neutral zone, and attacks simply through the neutral zone, is going to have the best chance to win."

The two teams met three times in the regular season. Vegas won on home ice at T-Mobile Arena, while the Jets handed the Golden Knights a 7-4 loss at Bell MTS Place in the second.
The third game went to overtime, with Vegas prevailing in the final regular season match-up.
All three meetings came before the NHL's Trade Deadline in late February. Both teams were active, with the Jets acquiring Paul Stastny, and Vegas adding Tomas Tatar from the Detroit Red Wings.
The Stastny acquisition was huge for the Jets, especially in the Second Round against Nashville.
The 32-year-old Stastny had five goals and 10 points in the seven games against the Predators, including two goals and three points in the series clinching Game Seven.
"The biggest thing he brought to this team is he's a great professional," said Mark Scheifele. "Obviously he can share his stories. He can share his experiences with all of us, especially the young guys. I think his game did all the speaking, especially yesterday.
"That's just the person he is. He's a guy that leads by example. He does all the right things on and off the ice. That stuff just gets rewarded."

Scheifele, like many Jets, had a series to remember against Nashville. The seven goals he scored on the road set a new NHL record for road goals in a series.
The 25-year-old's 11 goals lead all players in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, while his line with Wheeler and Kyle Connor have combined for 14 points in the last three games.
But Wheeler knows they'll have their hands full against the top line from Vegas, which includes Jonathan Marchessault, Reilly Smith, and William Karlsson.
Marchessault and Smith have 11 points in eight games, while Karlsson is right behind with 10.
"I think they do a little bit of a combination of offence, and they seem to play against the other team's best players too - especially at home," said Wheeler.
"They're a great mix of responsibility, play hard underneath the puck, and they can make some pretty dynamic plays. I think all three of those guys can put the puck in the net. Real explosive so far in the playoffs. They're playing real well. It's going to be a key match-up for us.
"Players like that, and a line like that, that's playing really well, it's tough to altogether eliminate them, but you want to contain them as much as you can."

So far this postseason, the Jets have been rewarded by sticking to the 'one day at a time' approach, or as they call it "handling the day."
True to form, the emotional Game Seven win over Nashville was in the past when Maurice was asked about it Friday afternoon.
That being said, he wants them to enjoy every minute. In his mind, it makes the Jets a better team.
"Every year, when you all did your predictions - and coaches as well - who the contenders are in September, they're in on that," Maurice said. "How difficult it is - making the playoffs surely - just to get out of the First Round, then to get out of the Second, then there's only three other teams left.
"Think of all the very strong teams - like Nashville - that don't get the opportunity. Everybody is going to be focused. Everybody is going to be wired.
"Figuring out a way to enjoy it, and I'm not talking casually enjoying it, but bringing that enjoyment into the intensity of your game, is what I thought we did very well in Game Seven."
The puck drops tomorrow night at 6 pm CT for Game One between the Jets and Golden Knights, and the Winnipeg Whiteout can hardly wait.