Jets learn from setback in Game 2, excited to get back on home ice

WINNIPEG -Combine double overtime and a two-and-a-half hour flight home from Nashville, and it's easy to see why the majority of the Winnipeg Jets stayed off the ice on Monday.
It's all in the name of recovery, and while Jacob Trouba would have liked Game 2's decision to be in the Jets favour, he's enjoying the emotional rollercoaster that is the Stanley Cup Playoffs - late nights included.

Eight members of the Jets experienced their first overtime loss in the playoffs last night, a loss that evened the best-of-seven series against the Predators at one.
Josh Morrissey was one of those players. He's gone on deep runs in both the WHL and AHL postseasons, and his Kelowna Rockets went all the way to the 2015 Memorial Cup final before falling to the Oshawa Generals in overtime.
He liked what he saw from his teammates in the minutes after regulation ended.
"Jumping in with both feet is what we talked about going into the overtime. There's no sense in being hesitant," said Morrissey. "If you're going to lose the game, you want to lose the game feeling like you threw it all at them and they just happened to score."

That mentality expands to the entire playoff experience.
"One of the things we talk about a lot is just really enjoying and embracing the opportunity," said Morrissey. "Playing in the Stanley Cup Playoffs is a grind, it's physical, it's tough on the body. But it's the best time of the year, it's the most fun hockey you'll get to play."
Neither Trouba nor Morrissey were one of the seven skaters on the ice for Monday's optional practice, but Connor Hellebuyck - who made 36 saves in Game Two - did take part.
"I like going on the ice and really loosening up and flushing the legs. Just getting back to being tight in my details. I want to feel like I normally do out there, and then I move on," said Hellebuyck.
"Your body is a little tight and a little stiff. But that's why we're pros. We know how to deal with this stuff. I had a nice flush today and now I'm feeling loose, limber, and ready to go."

The 24-year-old Hellebuyck's routine includes not taking the pre-game skate, while others do the opposite, insisting on being on the ice the morning of game day.
For head coach Paul Maurice, those routines after a loss are just as important as the lessons that come from the final result.
"The game doesn't change just because it's overtime. How you play can't change. You want to make sure you're not overly protective of the finality of giving up a chance, so you soften your gap, which is not how we play," said Maurice.
"It seems more painful than a regulation loss because you have players that either feel really good about scoring the winner, or a bunch of guys that feel really bad about being on the ice for the goal. You have to make sure they rebound right, and handle the next game right."

The Jets have won 12 consecutive games on home ice, including three in the First Round over the Minnesota Wild.
The excitement for Game 3 is evident. The atmosphere inside Bridgestone Arena in the first two games of the series made for exciting hockey, and the Jets know the fans inside and outside Bell MTS Place will provide a big boost to the club.
"I wasn't fazed as much as I thought I would be there. The atmosphere is awesome, and a little bit crazy," Hellebuyck said of the fan chants in Nashville.
"I like ours a lot more.… I'm looking forward to tomorrow and seeing how much this amps up."
ICE CHIPS
The seven skaters (and three goaltenders) that did take part in the optional practice included Nikolaj Ehlers, Tucker Poolman, Shawn Matthias, Marko Dano, Joel Armia, Mathieu Perreault, Dmitry Kulikov, Hellebuyck, Steve Mason, and Michael Hutchinson.
Armia and Kulikov were in a non-contact jerseys, while Perreault could be an option for Maurice - but that was as much of an update as the head coach was willing to give.