[Critch]

2035/36 Playoffs Round 1 - Winnipeg Jets
A first meeting in the playoffs with Winnipeg Jets. The playoffs are split by division so most years we'll get a team from the Pacific Division, but this year both wild card teams are from the Central so we get the Central Division Winnipeg in the first round. This is their first appearance in the playoffs for a couple of years, althought they've had a good season, they're not loaded with talent.

Game 1 - Winnipeg Jets 1 Anchorage Huskies 7
Only one injury for Anchorage going into the playoffs, 4th line center Enzo Landrey is day-to-day with a going injury, so Miloslav Martin takes his place. He was a waiver pickup from New York Rangers. Anchorage get an early lead, Borje Svensson after 1:10. Rutger McGroarty scores for Winnipeg but Jordan Gavin makes it 2-1 after 16:43 with an unassisted goal. Three more goals in the second period and Anchorage are well in control. Kaden Pitre (0:50), an Urho Mattila powerplay goal (8:15) and Johan Dahlberg (15:50) and Anchorage are in control. Oskar Vuollet starts the third period with a short handed goal, Winnipeg pull their goalie (I'm not commenting on the abilities of opposing goalies anymore) and Borje Svensson scores his second and Anchorage's seventh. An easy win and we're 1-0 up.

Game 2 - Winnipeg Jets 2 Anchorage Huskies 4
Enzo Landrey is back to 100% so back into the lineup. No scoring in the first, Oskar Vuollet gives Anchorage the lead 4:44 into the second. Corban Almen ties it for Winnipeg and it's 1-1 after the second. Jeff Martin puts Anchorage up 28 seconds into the third, but Winnipeg tie it up again after 9:44. 30 seconds later Peter Hrovatin puts Anchorage ahead, Jeff Martin scores with 2 seconds to go and Anchorage win 4-2 and are 2-0 up in the series. Both teams have 32 shots, but Anchorage have the better goalie so win. Tempting fate there.

Game 3 - Anchorage Huskies 5 Winnipeg Jets 0
Winnipeg are starting to see the injuries mount, three starters missing for this series now. Anchorage have no such issues. Lukas Karmiris puts Anchorage into the lead in the first, Carsen Adair 2-0 in the second, then Enzo Landrey, Oskar Vuollet and Lucas Karmiris finish it in the third. Anchorage were well on top, outshot them 50-18, and one win away from round 2.

Game 4 - Anchorage Huskies 4 Winnipeg Jets 1
It's not quite as one-sided as game three, but Anchorage still on top. No scoring in the first before Winnipeg take the lead 15:21 into the second. It doesnt last long though, Jordan Gavin and Borje Svensson score at 16:25 and 19:54 and after two periods Anchorage are 2-1 up. Oskar Vuollet makes it 3-1 after 3:27 of the third and Anchorage have one foot in the next round. Urho Mattila adds an empty net goal and the sweep is complete, we're off to the second round.

It's Calgary Flames in the next round, they got past Los Angeles Kings in seven games. In the other half of the Western Conference it's #1 v #2, Chicago v Atlanta.

And over in the Eastern Conference there'll be no three-peat for the New York Rangers, they got put out by Pittsburgh Penguins. Columbus v Pittsburgh and Hartford v Ottawa in round two.