Jets clinch Presidents’ Trophy

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This article was published 13/04/2025 (236 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

This was the final checkmark to hit in the regular season — even if it wasn’t on the original itinerary.

On a night where the Winnipeg Jets rested several regulars and weren’t operating at full capacity, a 4-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers was a whole lot easier to sweep under the rug.

That’s because the Jets have clinched the Presidents’ Trophy for the first time in franchise history by virtue of the 114 points they’ve already put in the bank.

Coupled with the Washington Capitals loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Jets have secured home-ice advantage through each four rounds of the Stanley Cup playoffs, provided they advance that far.

The Jets are the first Canadian team to win the Presidents’ Trophy since the Vancouver Canucks achieved the feat in 2012.

“We want to be the first Canadian team since 1993 to win the Cup. That’s what we’re here for,” said Jets defenceman Dylan DeMelo, referencing the Montreal Canadiens title.

On Saturday night, the Jets locked down top spot in the Central Division and Western Conference with a 5-4 shootout victory over the Chicago Blackhawks.

Jets head coach Scott Arniel admitted that finishing first overall wasn’t actually on the list of goals the team established during training camp, but it’s something for the organization to celebrate.

“It is definitely a great accomplishment,” said Jets forward Nino Niederreiter. “After 81 games, being able to get the Presidents’ Trophy is a big accomplishment, but it is only the first step as now it is the playoffs that matter most.”

The Jets, who have a record of 55-22-4, wrap up the regular season on Wednesday against the Anaheim Ducks.

Let’s take a closer look at this one:

THE SCARE

It’s that time of year when injury news is going to be more and more difficult to uncover, as teams become more and more secretive around playoff time.

But during the past two games, the Jets have watched forward Nikolaj Ehlers and defenceman Dylan Samberg leave the game in agony.

Samberg got knocked out of Sunday’s game after taking a slapshot off the left knee from Oilers captain Connor McDavid.

“He eats a lot of pucks for our team. He seems to do it every single night,” said DeMelo. “And to see him take one there and be stung from it and have to lose him was unfortunate.”

Arniel reported some positive news during his post-game address.

“We’ll see. Checking on him (Monday). But I think he’ll be okay,” said Arniel, who was asked a follow-up question about whether that initial news allowed him to breathe a sigh of relief. “Oh yeah, big time.”

Samberg missed time earlier this season with a broken left foot after stepping in front of a slapper from Nashville Predators forward Steven Stamkos.

Not only has Samberg posted career highs for goals (six) and points (20), he’s flourished with second-pairing minutes and is a key contributor on the penalty kill to go along with his excellent work at even strength.

On Saturday, Ehlers was involved in an awkward collision with a linesman and left the game with a lower-body issue.

The severity of his injury appears to be a bit murkier.

“Everybody’s day to day,” said Arniel. “We’re just going to kind of figure everybody out here.”

THE SHUFFLE

After wrapping up the Central Division and Western Conference titles on Saturday night, Arniel opted to give a few players a rest on Sunday.

That included captain Adam Lowry and defencemen Josh Morrisey, Neal Pionk and Luke Scehnn.

Scratching those players opened the door for forward David Gustafsson and blue-liners Colin Miller, Haydn Fleury and Ville Heinola to return to the lineup.

Dominic Toninato was also recalled from the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League and played centre on the fourth line with Gustafsson and Jaret Anderson-Dolan.

For Heinola, it was his first game since Feb. 22 – the first game after the break for the 4 Nations Face-Off.

Heinola was on for one even-strength goal against and took 20 shifts for 17:27 of action, finishing with one shot on goal, one hit and two giveaways.

Arniel figures to dress most of his healthy regulars for the regular-season finale, though it would not be a surprise to see Elias Salomonsson make his NHL debut after a strong season with the Moose.

THE KEY PLAY

Oilers forward Corey Perry got the puck over to Adam Henrique for a goal that made it a 2-1 game and proved to be the game-winner.

THE THREE STARS

Corey Perry, Oilers, Set up the game-winner and then supplied an insurance marker.

Connor McDavid, Oilers, Recorded two assists to get to 99 points for the season.

Eric Comrie, Jets, Finished with 35 saves in his 20th start of the campaign.

EXTRA, EXTRA

Comrie allowed two goals or fewer in eight of his final 11 starts and in nine of 20 this season. It’s the first time Comrie has started 20 NHL games and with Connor Hellebuyck expected to make the start on Wednesday, the Jets’ backup will finish the campaign with a 9-10-1 record, a 2.39 goals-against average and .914 save percentage.

With both Morrissey and Pionk out of the lineup, Miller was out there with the top power play unit and recorded an assist on the Jets’ lone goal from Alex Iafallo, who is up to 15 goals – which is just two shy of his career-high (which he hit twice as a member of the Los Angeles Kings.

“He did it day in, day out when he was playing in LA, so we all know what he’s capable of,” Niederreiter said of Iafallo. “He’s a great two-way player. He always goes out there and does his best possible (job). Doesn’t matter what line he is on.”

DeMelo led all Jets skaters in ice time, logging 24 shifts for 23:20 of ice time.

Nino Niederreiter and Kyle Connor were sporting A’s as alternate captains along with Mark Scheifele.

Arniel clarified that centre Rasmus Kupari remains in concussion protocol. When asked if Jets forward Gabe Vilardi had started skating yet, Arniel said no, but that it would be happening soon.

McDavid needs just one point during the final two games of the regular season to hit 100 for a fifth consecutive season and the eighth time in his NHL career.

ken.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca

X and Bluesky: @WiebesWorld