Eastern swing a true test for Jets Among the best of the west, club needs to reverse fortunes against counterparts from east By: Mike McIntyre Posted: 7:00 PM CST Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023

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This article was published 15/02/2023 (934 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Winnipeg Jets are among the best in the West, there’s no doubt about that. They hit the road on Wednesday just two points out of top spot in both their division and conference, with a game in hand on the front-running Dallas Stars.

A big reason is their stellar head-to-head record against their closest rivals. Winnipeg is 14-4-0 within the Central, and 10-4-1 against the Pacific including Tuesday’s 3-2 shootout victory over the Seattle Kraken. Add it all up and that’s an outstanding 24-8-1, with 17 of their final 28 regular-season games within the conference. And, it should be noted, the first three rounds of the playoffs, if they can get that far.

However, it’s been an entirely different story in the East, to say the least. The Jets are a very mediocre 10-11-0 so far against their out-of-conference opponents, with 11 contests remaining. That includes the next four, all in enemy territory, starting Thursday in Columbus against the Blue Jackets.

This would be a good time to start bucking a trend, even if the team isn’t overly concerned about geography right now.

“We know we have to take our game to another level on a consistent basis. Is that East? West? To me, it’s two points,” Jets coach Rick Bowness told reporters following Wednesday’s practice in Winnipeg.

“We want to do well on this road trip, regardless of who we play, to stay where we are in the standings, and hopefully keep moving up and keep our spot where we are. Yeah, we’d like to see a better record against the East, but the most important thing is where we are in the standings. We want to make sure when we come back from this road trip, we’re no worse than we are right now.”

Winnipeg is riding a three-game winning streak and will look to extend that against the lowly Blue Jackets, who have the NHL’s worst record at 16-34-4. One of those victories was a 4-1 triumph at Canada Life Centre on Dec. 2.

It’s safe to say the Jets won’t be taking anyone for granted.

“Obviously, the league is getting tighter and tighter when it’s close to the playoffs. Everybody’s trying to make a push for the playoffs,” Jets goaltender David Rittich said Wednesday.

The trip then gets considerably tougher as the Jets face the New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers and New York Islanders over a four-day span starting on Sunday.

Winnipeg got some good news before the team boarded the charter for Ohio as No. 1 netminder Connor Hellebuyck skated briefly, then joined the group on the flight. He missed Tuesday’s game with a non-COVID illness. Rittich was superb, stopping 27 of 29 shots to improve his record to 9-4-0 in 13 starts. Manitoba Moose goalie Arvid Holm dressed as the backup, but he was returned to the American Hockey League on Wednesday.

It remains to be seen whether Hellebuyck or Rittich gets the call against the Blue Jackets. Both goaltenders will be needed on the trip, especially with back-to-back games against the Devils and Rangers coming up.

“It took me time to figure out how that role goes and what’s included in that,” Rittich said of becoming an NHL backup. “It wasn’t an easy transition but I’m pretty confident in where I am right now and obviously the guys are awesome, helping me out every day in practice. If I need some drills, they’re here for me, and also I’m here for them if they need something. It’s going to be a cliche but this team is awesome and being around every single teammate here, it’s unbelievable and I’m enjoying (it) every day.”

The Jets did make one call-up from the Moose on Wednesday in the form of assistant coach Eric Dubois. The father of Pierre-Luc will join Winnipeg on the road, with assistant-coach Brad Lauer currently laid up with a back injury.

“Eric will be the eye in the sky for now. With three in four coming up, we don’t want to miss anything on the pre-scout, so Eric is going to focus on the pre-scout,” said Bowness. “Then all of us will keep doing what the rest of us have been doing all year. Eric’s main focal point will be the pre-scout of the opposition.”

“Obviously, the league is getting tighter and tighter when it’s close to the playoffs. Everybody’s trying to make a push for the playoffs.”–Jets goaltender David Rittich

Bowness said it’s a nice reward for Eric, who is part of a terrific Moose coaching staff that has helped get a number of Moose players ready for the next level.

“I was an assistant-coach for a long time. We all want to feel part of any success the team has,” said Bowness.

“I know how hard every coach in this league works. I know how hard our assistant-coaches work. That should be recognized. I have a tremendous amount of faith in them. I love this staff. They’re so committed to this team and this organization. They all work incredibly hard, a lot longer hours than you guys realize or see. I see it, I recognize it, I respect it, and I appreciate it.”

Columbus should be in a surly mood after giving up a goal with two seconds left in the third period on Tuesday to fall 3-2 to New Jersey. There’s also the added incentive with Patrick Laine, Jack Roslovic and assistant-coach Pascal Vincent all facing their old team.

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Of course, the Jets have plenty to play for as well.

“It’s exciting. I think it’s everyone’s goal to make the playoffs in any league you play in. And then especially in the NHL, you’re trying to make the playoffs, fight for the Stanley Cup. That’s everyone’s dream, that’s everyone’s goal,” forward Cole Perfetti said Wednesday.

“We’re in a great spot right now. We’re playing great hockey right now, and it’s fun to be a part of a very successful team in the conference.”

They certainly have been. Now the goal, at least for the next week, will be to try and feast on the East.

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @mikemcintyrewpg

Mike McIntyre
Reporter

Mike McIntyre is a sports reporter whose primary role is covering the Winnipeg Jets. After graduating from the Creative Communications program at Red River College in 1995, he spent two years gaining experience at the Winnipeg Sun before joining the Free Press in 1997, where he served on the crime and justice beat until 2016. Read more about Mike.

Every piece of reporting Mike produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press’s history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.