The Winnipeg Jets are headed to the Western Conference final.
Prior to Thursday night, fans of both iterations of the Manitoba-based NHL team had never been able to utter that sentence. But the Jets embarrassed the Predators 5-1 in a Game 7 showdown at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville to earn a shot against the Vegas Golden Knights.
It’s not a Western Conference final many, if any, hockey fans would’ve predicted at the beginning of the season considering the Jets missed the playoffs in 2017 and one year ago the Golden Knights didn’t have a roster. But now that it’s here, we’re expecting a thriller.
The Jets finished behind the Preds in the race for the Presidents’ Trophy but outclassed them in the playoffs. Perhaps most impressive of all was their dominance on the road, thanks in large part to huge performances from a handful of top stars.
The series with Vegas begins on Saturday, which doesn’t give the team too much time to celebrate but there was plenty of social media celebration after the handshake line.
Congrats@NHLJets and friendly Manitoba, first conference final and one step closer to the Stanley Cup…keep it going
— Teemu Selanne (@TeemuSel8nne) May 11, 2018
Congratulations @NHLJets! But of course, we never had any doubt #WPGWhiteout https://t.co/G2kvZ0bePb
— WPG Blue Bombers (@Wpg_BlueBombers) May 11, 2018
Heck to the yasssss Boyyyyz!!!!! We in this.. WINNING!!!!! Winnipeg on me!!!! So excited for our @NHLJets Bring it on Round 3 waaaaahhhoooooo Vegas here we come!!!!! Let’s Gooooooo!!! #Proud Thx for helping us bring the #WinnipegWhiteout to Utah! @dmatheson8 pic.twitter.com/YCL9Av9Osg
— Desiree Scott (@MsDScott11) May 11, 2018
Thursday’s game might’ve taken place in Nashville, but the streets of Winnipeg were packed with Jets fans as they celebrated and shut down Portage and Main downtown just like they did when they eliminated the Wild in the opening round.
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