Battle-tested Jets excited to face Dallas, but need break after bruising series against Blues

The Jets and Blues likely woke up Monday with aching muscles and bruised bodies after an opening-round NHL playoff series filled with punishing hits.

Winnipeg's players had their pains eased, though, by an epic 4-3 double-overtime victory Sunday night in Game 7 after captain Adam Lowry scored at 16:10.

The Jets host the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference second round, with the first game Wednesday and the second on Friday. It's the first time the clubs will meet in the post-season.

"They're a great team, we're a good team. I can't wait for that battle," Jets forward Nikolaj Ehlers said of the Stars after Sunday's victory.

There's no doubt the Jets were battle-tested against the Blues, and earned a day off Monday to rest and recover.

Winnipeg out-hit St. Louis 73-49 in the league's third-longest Game 7 that ran 96 minutes, 10 seconds.

"I was pretty gassed, I'm not going to lie," Ehlers told reporters. "I'm standing here and my legs are a little shaky."

The series finished with a current playoff-high 623 combined hits. The Jets dished out 322 of them.

It took its toll.

Fans will be waiting for updates about injured stars Mark Scheifele and Josh Morrissey when the team returns to practice Tuesday.

Morrissey left Sunday's game about eight minutes into the first period after the defenceman absorbed some heavy checks. Scheifele missed his second consecutive game with an upper-body injury the centre suffered in Game 5.

Jets head coach Scott Arniel, in his first year after two seasons as associate coach, said the players' resolve in Game 7 was "absolutely amazing."

"I've seen a lot of hockey games, been in a lot of hockey games. To be a part of that was one of the most exciting games I've been a part of," said Arniel, a