Why Predators vs. Winnipeg Jets will be must-see

Whatever you might think of the NHL's two best teams meeting in the second round, try not to let it get in the way of what's sure to be a slugfest.

Games between the Predators and Winnipeg Jets are appointment viewing. Their second-round series, which opens Friday at Bridgestone Arena, should be no different, if not more exhilarating.

"I think you expect all the same things you saw in the regular season," Predators forward Austin Watson said. "Just amped up a little bit."

Here are three things to know about the series:

The best in the West

In many ways, the Predators and Jets mirror each other. They're ice-tilting, swift-skating powerhouses with a physical edge.

Both teams have elite-caliber wingers (Filip Forsberg and Viktor Arvidsson versus Patrik Laine and Blake Wheeler) and depth down the middle (Ryan Johansen, Kyle Turris and Nick Bonino versus Mark Scheifele, Paul Stastny and Bryan Little).

Winnipeg also has a formidable defense led by Dustin Byfuglien and Jacob Trouba, though it's not as stacked as Nashville's.

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The Predators and Jets each were top-five defensive teams this season but combined for 41 non-shootout goals in five games.

"They're high-event games," Jets coach Paul Maurice told reporters Monday. "Something's happening all the time. They're very physical. They're certainly really fast. Great saves. Neither team is passive in how they play. Neither team sits back and tries to slow the game down in terms of what they do with the puck. There's lots of action in these games.

"The change of possession in these games and the opportunities off those changes in possession are as fast as you'll see. You think you're in a good spot, you bobble the puck and you're in a real bad spot."

'Winnipeg Whiteout'

When the series moves to Winnipeg, the Predators will experience a unique and inhospitable atmosphere.

The whiteout tradition dates to the original version of the franchise, which relocated to Arizona in 1996. Fans crammed inside Bell MTS Place, the NHL's smallest arena by capacity, and those stuffing downtown streets will wear white in support of the team.

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The Jets' 32 home victories this season were the most in the league. Their last home loss was to the Predators on Feb. 27.

Winnipeg has won 12 consecutive home games since then, so it will be imperative for Nashville to maintain home-ice advantage in this series.

Vezina-worthy goaltending

The Predators and Jets each are backstopped by Vezina Trophy finalists — Pekka Rinne and Connor Hellebuyck.

Hellebuyck impressed in his first taste of playoff hockey, posting consecutive shutouts to eliminate the Minnesota Wild in five games.

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Ignore Rinne's overall numbers against the Colorado Avalanche — 2.60 goals-against average, .909 save percentage — and focus on how he ended the series. Rinne compiled a 1.34 GAA and .951 save percentage in the final three games.

The Jets are adept at generating offense through their strong cycle game and heavy forecheck. Rinne should be prepared to contend with the Jets' ability to invade the slot.

Reach Adam Vingan at avingan@tennessean.com and on Twitter @AdamVingan.

Predators vs. Jets

All times are CT. All games on 102.5-FM.

Game 1: Friday at Nashville, 7 p.m. (NBC SN)

Games 2-4: TBD

Games 5-7 (if necessary): TBD