Jets planning repeat of Sunday’s effort tonight in St. Louis

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This article was published 16/04/2019 (2335 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

ST. LOUIS — Familiarity does indeed breed contempt. And it’s clear the Winnipeg Jets and St. Louis Blues are getting sick of seeing each other. They’ll renew acquaintances tonight in a pivotal Game 4 of their best-of-seven playoff series.

The Jets have a chance to take back home-ice advantage with a win, turning this into a best-of-three. The Blues have another shot to get one win away from moving on to the next round. Puck drop is just after 8:30 (Sportsnet, TSN 1290).

“We need to play a full 60 and just come out the same way. I thought we responded at the times we needed to last game, whenever they seemed to get a little momentum, whether it was a goal or a good shift, we responded the way we needed to that next shift,” Jets defenceman Tyler Myers said after the morning skate at Enterprise Center.

The Jets will go with the same lineup that beat the Blues 6-3 Sunday night. Patrik Laine, who has goals in all three games, didn’t participate in the skate; he didn’t Sunday morning, either.

“Superstition probably, now. He’s fine,” coach Paul Maurice said.

St. Louis is expected to make one change, with forward Robby Fabbri replacing Zach Sanford.

The physicality and emotion has picked up with each game, and Myers expects that to continue tonight.

“Whenever you get into the playoffs, you’re always going to create a bit of a rivalry playing each other as many times as we are. That’s one of the exciting things about playoff hockey. But certainly you have to watch that line and make sure you don’t cross it. I think we’ve done a pretty good job of that. And when we have gone to the box our PK has been on. We’ll have to keep doing that in future games here,” said Myers.

“All three games have felt physical. Both teams are finishing their checks. Both teams are doing a good job of getting on the forecheck, getting physical. I think that’s been part of our game, even throughout the regular season. We’ll try to continue that.”

Game 5 is set for Thursday at Bell MTS Place, with the start time yet to be nailed down. Tonight’s Pittsburgh-New York Islanders game will likely determine things. If the Islanders win tonight to eliminate the Penguins in four straight, expect an early start in Winnipeg as the Jets will be needed to fill a prime-time TV slot. If the Penguins keep their season alive with a win, the Jets will likely be bumped to a later start time.

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @mikemcintyrewpg

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