5 things to watch for in Game 3 between Jets and Ducks

Game three is the first Stanley Cup playoff game in Winnipeg in 19 years, and there's not much margin for error for the Jets now. Down 0-2 against the Ducks, it's not a "must win" but it's pretty darn close.

The NHL tweeted the other day that teams leading series two-games-to-none end up advancing 85.9 per cent of the time. That number goes to 97.9 per cent when it's three-zip. 

And with that, here are a few thoughts on what might matter most heading into Monday night's game

Best foot forward

Mark Scheifele said Sunday the team hasn't played its best yet, and knowing they can be better gives him and the team confidence going into Monday's critical showdown.

The Jets have had spells but haven't been able to see a game through.

In game one, Corey Perry's early third period power play goal tied the game and seemed to stagger the Jets who let a 2-1 lead after 40 minutes turn into a 4-2 loss. In game two, a couple of early penalties would have buried them if it wasn't for some solid penalty-killing and stellar work from Ondrej Pavelec.

Then, the Jets held the Ducks to just eight shots from the middle of the first period through period two, again taking a one-goal lead to the third period before watching Anaheim pour it on.

The Jets are the second wild card in the West and the Ducks put up the most points in the conference. That gap in quality demands matching them shift after shift energy wise or risk being left behind as we've seen. Paul Maurice said it best Sunday morning when he said the Jets need to be closer to their best to win than the Ducks do.

Fan-tastic

Matching the Ducks involves tactics, skill and lots of energy. And that energy can be boosted by fan support.

Ducks' fans certainly did their part to lift their team in games one and two, but how will the backing of Jets' nation affect the cause at MTS Centre?

A Jets team that channels that fan energy the right way might be able fight on during a penalty kill or stick with the game plan in a tight game knowing the knowledgeable folks in the stands appreciate the little things it takes to succeed.

But, if the Jets are overwhelmed by the buzz from the seats downtown or feel they have to step out of their comfort zones to make something happen there will be problems.

It'll also be interesting to see how a relatively young Anaheim team deals with the reception at the MTS Centre.

It's a fine line

The Jets and Ducks are both big, fast and physical and there's been plenty of hitting and exchanging of pleasantries in the first two games – before and after the whistle.

Neither team is innocent, and both have been busted for their choices but so far the Jets have been the ones to pay. Setting a tone has to include being disciplined.

Andrew Ladd admitted he'd blown it Saturday with his third period lapse in judgment that led to the game-tying power play goal. Now it's up to everyone, from the guy wearing the "C" all the way down to the fourth line to push the Ducks to the edge without crossing it themselves.

Special victims unit

It's not criminal how the Jets have been hurt on special teams, but it's got to seem darn close to that for Jets' fans. 

Going scoreless in all four power plays Saturday, combined with Anaheim's goal on one of their four power plays leaves the extra-man totals for the series at 0-for-7 for Winnipeg and 3-for-7 for Anaheim. That's a difference of three goals in just two games with man advantage tallies by the Ducks tying both games in the third period. 

Before flying home from California Sunday, Paul Maurice said there are tactical matters to straighten out with the power play. Whatever the X's and O's, the Jets need their top regular season scorers Andrew Ladd, Bryan Little and Blake Wheeler to break out – not to mention Dustin Byfuglien.

My guess is injuries are a factor for several of Winnipeg's high-end players, but it's a cold-hearted business and they'll be seen as coming up short if they don't find the net soon. 

Meanwhile, Mark Stuart talked about the need to find ways to get through penalty kills. Working the penalty kill isn't glamorous, and you need goaltending and a break or two, but again an ability to get timely kills can alter the mood of a game.

Good teams find ways​

It's a well-worn sports cliché for a reason: "good teams find ways to win."

The Ducks collected more points than any other team in the Western Conference in the regular season and have shown an ability to inch ahead when it counts so far in the series. Whether it's a lucky bounce or being just a little quicker to a loose puck to turn a chance into a goal, Anaheim is getting it done.

If the Jets are going to get back in this series, they'll need to create and seize that difference making moment.

By the way, teams leading series 2-games-1 advance 69.3 per cent of the time, which sounds much better than 97.8 per cent to the Jets.