Season-long success proves Jets are a legitimate contender

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This article was published 29/01/2025 (283 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

BOSTON — They’re not quite ready to present their case, but the evidence is mounting for the Winnipeg Jets.

When it comes to assessing things with 30 games left in the regular season, it’s becoming easier to identify why this edition has staying power as a legitimate contender.

As the Jets prepare to face the Boston Bruins on Thursday at TD Garden, they sport a record of 35-14-3, which leaves them tied with the Washington Capitals for top spot in the NHL.

Since the Capitals hold two games in hand, they hold the edge in the chase for the Presidents’ Trophy by virtue of points percentage, but there’s plenty of time for that to be resolved.

Besides, the Jets are more interested in raising a different banner than the one awarded for regular-season success.

There will be ample time to figure if the Jets can exorcise their playoff demons, so let’s take a closer look at how Winnipeg has become one of the teams to beat in the West.

By virtue of a historic 15-1 start, the Jets put themselves in position to enjoy breathing room that is extremely rare.

Things were clicking on all cylinders and expectations were on the rise.

The combination of coming back to earth and letting the standard slip — even if ever so slightly — left the Jets with a 3-7 record during those next 10 outings.

Cause for concern?

Not exactly, but the caution flag was up and it was up to the Jets to get back to doing what they do best.

There was always going to be a course correction coming, the key for the Jets was to see if they could push through the most difficult portion of the schedule and come out of that in relatively good shape.

Any concern a swoon was on the horizon or if the league had figured out how to neutralize the Jets attack has been quieted by a stretch of 17-6-3 since Dec. 4.

Rocking a winning percentage of .711 is tough to do, especially when the games are being more closely-contested.

That leaves the Jets with a .702 winning percentage for the campaign, a number that is only eclipsed by the Capitals (.730), who will be the Jets opponent on Saturday as this road trip concludes.

The level rises once the calendar flips and more will be required when March arrives.

However, there are plenty of reasons to believe the Jets should keep themselves in the mix, first and foremost, to sit atop the Central Division — where they currently hold an eight-point cushion over the Dallas Stars (who hold two games in hand but just lost top blue-liner Miro Heiskanen to a knee injury).

The willingness to commit to the structure is at the foundation of the Jets’ success and that is in lockstep with the brilliance of goalie Connor Hellebuyck.

The combination of those things has the Jets sitting fourth in goals against so far.

Hellebuyck continues to make a case for Hart Trophy consideration, as the sheer numbers (40 starts, 31 wins, a 2.00 goals-against average and six shutouts) continue to leave many observers simply shaking their heads.

In 15 of those 40 starts, Hellebuyck has allowed zero or one goal against, in 11 others, he’s given up two.

The Jets have one of the most prolific top lines in the NHL — with only Leon Draisaitl having more goals this season than Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele (29) — and Gabe Vilardi on pace to shatter his career-best (23) with 22 already notched.

Winnipeg has the top-ranked power play in the NHL, with an efficiency rating of 32.6 per cent, and that weapon has come in handy on numerous occasions this season.

Thanks to a recent surge, the Jets have moved back to the middle of the pack on the penalty kill (79.1 per cent), tied for 16th overall with the Florida Panthers.

Nikolaj Ehlers is having a tremendous season, averaging more than a point per game (45 in 43 games) and Josh Morrissey has himself firmly in the discussion for the Norris Trophy.

The Jets have shown their resourcefulness in playing without defenceman Dylan Samberg (for 23 games) and Ehlers (nine games) and have put together a four-game winning streak with captain Adam Lowry on the shelf and expected to remain there until after the 4 Nations Face-Off next month.

The Jets lead the league in goals with 184, which also means the supporting cast has been doing its part to chip in.

Once again, the numbers back that up as the Jets have three guys north of 20 goals and seven already in double digits, with Vladislav Namestnikov knocking on the door with nine.

According to NHL Edge stats, the Jets shooting percentage (12.5 per cent) is a full two points above the league average, and they’ve done an excellent job of burying high-danger chances, scoring 91 of their goals from the spot that is most dangerous on the ice.

Samberg’s value has been evident all season long, with his ability to move up and excel in top-four minutes — and also during his extended absence with a broken foot.

He’s a key cog on the penalty kill and his D-partner from his hometown of Hermantown, Minn., Neal Pionk, is having a great season beside him.

Dylan DeMelo remains a steadying force for Morrissey and has chipped in four assists during the past five games to get into an offensive groove.

The heaviest of the lifting is yet to come and there are certainly areas that require further improvement, as the search for cohesion on the second line and the competition for playing time on the third defensive pair is a work in progress.

The expectation is that Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff is going to provide some additional reinforcements via trade before the March 7 deadline arrives, which means there will be an adaptation of roles and new bodies to integrate into a winning formula.

Until that occurs, the Jets figure to keep striving to be better as they attack what is on the horizon.

“We’ll see what happens in April once we get there,” Jets head coach Scott Arniel said Tuesday morning. “This is all about building a brand and building a way we want to play consistently, so that when we know we hit those playoffs, we know what’s going to help us have success.”

ken.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca

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