Predators bracing for high-octane Jets in second round

NASHVILLE --If the Western Conference Second Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Nashville Predators and Winnipeg Jets is anything like their regular-season series, it's going to make for some high-scoring hockey.
Game 1 will be Friday at Bridgestone Arena (8 p.m. ET; NBCSN, CBC, SN360, TVAS), where the Predators won two of three games against the Jets in the regular season. The teams combined for 42 goals in five games, with the Predators going 3-1-1.

Nashville scored at least three goals in every game against Winnipeg, and the Jets scored at least three in four of the five games. That output doesn't guarantee how the upcoming series will be played, but it does illustrate the offensive ability for each team.
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"It's a clean slate," Predators coach Peter Laviolette said. "They were good games. They were fast. They were physical. At times, there were a lot of goals scored. I don't know if that will be how it goes, but they finished just a couple points behind us. They went through their first-round opponent pretty good, so I think we know what we're up against. We've seen them. We know their team. They know us. It should be a great series."
Nashville advanced to the second round with a six-game win against the Colorado Avalanche, and Winnipeg defeated the Minnesota Wild in five. The Predators (53-18-11) won the Central Division and Presidents' Trophy with an NHL high 117 points. The Jets (52-20-10) were second with 114.
Nashville's defense will be tested by a Winnipeg offense led by forwards Blake Wheeler and Patrik Laine. Wheeler had 91 points (23 goals, 68 assists) in the regular season. Laine had 70 points (44 goals, 26 assists).

Despite allowing 20 goals in five games against the Jets, the Predators are confident defensively. They allowed 204 goals in 82 games, second-fewest in the NHL to the Los Angeles Kings. The Jets scored 273 goals and averaged 3.33 per game, each second behind the Tampa Bay Lightning.
"They were a lot of high-scoring games throughout the regular season," Nashville defenseman Roman Josi said. "They're obviously a really, really dangerous team offensively. They were some fun games. I mean they're a great team. They have a lot of firepower up front, have got a great goalie and great defense, so it's going to be a fun series. I'm really excited for it."
The Predators defeated the Avalanche in a series that featured more speed and skill than physicality. Though there will be plenty of speed and skill on display against the Jets, the Predators expect a more demanding series.
"I think every game we've played them, it's a physical series," Josi said. "We obviously play them a lot throughout the regular season so it's kind of a little rivalry. They're a physical team, and we try to be a physical team as well."