Jets' Maurice calls 1st-round elimination 'painful as hell'

The Winnipeg Jets were eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs in six games after a 3-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Saturday.

Following the defeat, Jets head coach Paul Maurice was openly despondent about his team's season coming to an end.

"It's painful as hell because you think you're right there but you were beat by a team that thinks the same thing," Maurice said following the loss, according to the Winnipeg Sun's Scott Billeck.

The Jets and Blues battled through five tightly-contested games before St. Louis laid down the hammer. Although the scoreboard reflected a one-goal contest, the Blues were in complete control and held a shot advantage of 27-6 after two periods.

"I don't think tonight's game was indicative of the way the first five went ... such an incredibly tight series, shots are almost identical, chances the same, zone time the same. The margin for error was very slim," Maurice told reporters, according to FOX Sports Midwest.

Despite the Jets battling through several injuries this postseason, Maurice was quick to shoot down the notion that poor health played a role in the team's shortcomings.

"Careful with excuses - we got beat," Maurice said.

Winnipeg will face some important decisions this offseason, with key players such as Patrik Laine, Kyle Connor, Kevin Hayes, Jacob Trouba, Tyler Myers, and Ben Chariot all due for new contracts.

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