Hidden Advantage Gives Jets the Upper Hand in Playoff Series vs Blues

The Winnipeg Jets have a 2-0 advantage in their best-of-seven Western Conference playoff series with the St. Louis Blues.

The Jets' backup goalie and healthy scratches were the lone players on the ice for Tuesday's optional skate, whereas the Blues took the day off altogether in Missouri.

The tone was established physically early in Game 1, when the Blues accumulated five hits in their first shift and ended up with 53 overall. The Jets responded with 33, and out-hit St. Louis 33-29 in the Game 2 hit department.

Perhaps the largest was by 6'7" defenseman Logan Stanley, who flattened Jordan Kyrou along the boards in a first period that featured no scoring.

Mark Scheifele continues to lead the offense. He has two goals and three assists and is the NHL's leading playoff scorer to this juncture.

Scheifele broke the Jets/Thrashers' franchise record for playoff points (43) with a three-point night in Game 1, and then recorded another multi-point game in Game 2. His consecutive multi-point games to begin a playoff season are a franchise first.

What might be giving Winnipeg the edge, though, is more than just numbers. As Sean Reynolds told Kyper and Bourne, it's attention to detail that's setting the Jets apart.

They finish their hits, they're making smart, low-risk plays, and they're playing the game as a five-man unit rather than as individuals.

It's this unity and discipline that might make the difference against a physical Blues team, especially in tight, low-scoring playoff games.