The Winnipeg Jets proceed to sit down atop the NHL standings at 16-3-0 after every week that featured their first true skid of the 2024-25 season. That feels insane to say, given the very fact the Jet solely have three losses, however it’s true. Two of these losses got here consecutively, and made staff look human for a stretch.
It’s been a few weeks because the final pocket book, however for essentially the most half, plenty of the identical storylines have continued to develop. Regardless, right here’s what has stood out during the last whereas.
Connor, Scheifele, and Vilardi Look Like a True High Line
After what seemed to be one other sluggish begin for the trio of Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele, and Gabriel Vilardi has began to point out what they’ll do as a real top-line. Over the previous two years, these three had been inconsistent when it comes to manufacturing you’d anticipate from an NHL prime line, however over the previous a number of video games, they appear like they’ve turned a nook.
Associated: Jets’ First Line Going From Legal responsibility to Power
After the Jets’ 6-3 win over the Florida Panthers that was punctuated by a Scheifele hat trick, the road has as soon as once more surged previous the breakeven mark in aim differential. Certainly one of their calling playing cards early within the 12 months was how they may rating often, however hand over far more in opposition to. Now, 19 video games into the season, the trio has now outscored their opponent 13-12 whereas on the ice collectively.
One thing else price noting is their underlying stats creeping up into the positives. Their anticipated aim differential has lastly moved again into the optimistic at 50.7%, whereas their Corsi (shot makes an attempt) has climbed up close to that fifty% mark at 49.9% (Moneypuck). The Jets’ greatest Corsi is held by the Nino Niederreiter, Adam Lowry, and Mason Appleton line at 52.8%, which is sweet for twelfth greatest within the league amongst ahead strains with a minimum of 120 minutes.
Combating Again Towards Reigning Cup Winners
The house-and-home sequence in opposition to the Panthers was a story of two groups for the Jets. Within the first sport, they regarded behind in nearly all elements of the sport. This got here after a dropping effort in opposition to the Tampa Bay Lightning, and whereas it was solely the third lack of the season, it appeared that some warning bells had been raised.
The response? Caring for enterprise at house in entrance of a sold-out crowd. The Jets snapped their short-lived dropping streak and schooled the Panthers and received 6-3. Numerous this, as talked about above, got here on the again of an excellent efficiency from the highest line and particularly Scheifele, who scored his ninth profession hat trick.
What this confirmed was greater than only a bounce-back effort, however extra a mentality to snap out of their sluggishness that we noticed on the highway journey to the Sunshine State. That is what appears completely different about this staff, and I do know that’s straightforward to say a few 16-3-0 staff, however it’s true. Even at their highest level final season, it felt like they had been one loss away from all of it falling aside, which it did within the first spherical of the playoffs. Not less than early on this season, the adversity has appeared like extra of a motivator.
After First Slide of the Season, One other Take a look at Awaits
Whereas they managed to battle again and get again into the win column, it received’t get any simpler down the stretch for the Jets. After a visit to play the Pittsburgh Penguins and Nashville Predators, they face the Minnesota Wild, Los Angeles Kings, Vegas Golden Knights, and Dallas Stars in consecutive video games over a seven-day span.
It’s been stated loads recently, however these are the video games to assist fortify simply how good of a staff they’re. All 4 of these groups are within the prime ten within the NHL standings and are all trying up on the Jets because the staff to beat.
The Jets have achieved a fantastic job of banking factors early, however now it’s much less about factors and extra about efficiency. These are the league’s greatest and the Jets are heading on the highway to try to show a degree. They’re the highest staff within the NHL, and it’s as much as these different groups to try to knock them down. Not less than early this 12 months, the mentality for the Jets seems to be, “We’d wish to see them attempt.”
Pocket book Information Clippings
Just a few newsworthy tales from the previous week or so, holding you updated with all Jets info.
- Connor Hellebuyck was voted because the probably favourite for the Vezina Trophy because the NHL’s prime goaltender, voted on by 15 NHL.com writers. He was the unanimous choose as the favourite, as he acquired 15 first-place votes. (Nov. 20, 2024)
- Jets’ head coach Scott Arniel was listed because the early Jack Adams Award favourite because the league’s greatest coach in a current NHL.com ballot. (Nov. 19, 2024)
- Defenceman Ville Heinola was activated from injured reserve (IR) and assigned to the Manitoba Moose for a conditioning stint. He has been on IR because the first week of coaching camp when an an infection flared up in his surgically repaired ankle. (Nov. 18, 2024)
- The Jets re-claimed goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen off waivers from the Colorado Avalanche after dropping him on waivers earlier this season. With the Jets being the one staff to submit a declare, they had been in a position to ship him on to the Moose. (Nov. 12, 2024)
