Game 1 of what could be a long series was a winnable game for both the Winnipeg Jets and the Dallas Stars, but a lack of urgency in moments of the game cost the Jets an opportunity to take an early series advantage.

It wasn't a poor game from the Jets, but given the physicality they showed in their seven-game series against the St. Louis Blues, the expectation was that they would bring that to the next round. They threw 46 hits last night, but very few felt like momentum-altering hits. 

"Right out of the gate, I thought our detail, whether that was on faceoff execution, when we won draws, whether that was tape-to-tape passing, just execution, there was a lot of sloppiness to that game," said HC Scott Arniel. "That did not feel like a playoff game, Game 1 in Round 2. That felt like Game 45 in the middle of December. Obviously,  we know the high that we're on coming off that St. Louis game, but man, this is the playoffs. That's a game that no matter how you start the game or however you get into the game, it's one of those ones that there's a way we have to play as a group, and that's not how we played tonight."

The game was fairly even; the Jets outshot the Stars 31-24, but the Stars generated higher-quality chances. According to Natural Stat Trick, the Stars held the advantage in Corsi, expected goals, scoring chances, and high-danger chances at 5-on-5. 

Mikko Rantanen stole all the headlines, recording his second consecutive hat-trick, but the Jets allowed him too much free space. Listed at 6'4, 215 lbs, Rantanen has great strength and understanding of how to utilize his body to protect the puck or take body position in front of the net. He showcased this several times, including on his two 5-on-5 goals, which came from the Jets' inability to box him out. 

With skilled players like Rantanen, Wyatt Johnston, Jason Robertson, Matt Duchene, Roope Hintz, Thomas Harley, and soon, Miro Heiskanen, the Jets need to be physical to make the game difficult for them. If they are granted time and space, or body position in dangerous areas of the offensive zone, the Stars will continuously punish the Jets. 

Dylan DeMelo has been shelled at even strength in the playoffs, spending far too much time in his own zone. Outside of Dylan Samberg and Neal Pionk, it's been a struggle for every Jets defenseman. Better play and physicality are needed from their six-man unit. 

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