The 2014-15 edition of the Winnipeg Jets have been impressive so far, with some bumps in the road. They are currently holding onto a wild card spot in the Western Conference, with a 26-14-8 record, good enough for 60 points. They are seven points ahead of the Calgary Flames and only two points behind their divisional rival, the Chicago Blackhawks. If the Jets can continue this consistent play under head coach Paul Maurice, fans in Winnipeg may be looking at their first playoff-bound team since 1995-96, the last season when the original Jets played in the city.
Since the Atlanta Thrashers moved to Winnipeg four years ago, the new Jets have struggled to be a consistent team in the NHL. Each season they’ve had a winning record, but they just haven’t won enough to scrape by into the playoffs, coming the closest in the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season, being only five points away.
State of The Winnipeg Jets
Outlook on the rest of the season
With only 34 games left for the Jets, they will undoubtedly be fighting for every point they can accumulate, like any team, but they already know that the West is an incredibly tough conference to not only play in, but also to make the playoffs. As of right now, the Jets are sitting fourth in the Central Division, good for 60 points in 48 games. It isn’t the best record in the NHL right now, but it will be a franchise high for these Jets, if they can keep on this track. Of course it is impossible to predict a team’s total points, due to injuries, opponents faced, road trips/travels, and other intangibles, but the Jets are currently on a five-game winning streak, scoring 22 goals in that time and allowing only a measly eight. Based on this play, they will definitely be making the playoffs. One thing they need to do is hope they don’t have any more injuries, as they only have seven players who have played every game so far. The injuries have definitely played a part in the Jets struggles.
A big part of the Jets recent success is rookie goaltender Michael Hutchinson. The 24-year-old has stepped in for regular number one goalie Ondrej Pavelec when he was struggling and Hutchinson took the shot by the reins and ran with it. He has been outstanding, going 14-4-2 in 21 games with two shutouts. While he has only played 21 games so far, he is still ranked second overall in the league for both save percentage with .935 and an unreal goals against average of 1.90. Pavelec has since played some decent games, contributing to the Jets current winning streak.
Trade Targets
Right now, the Jets are playing well and don’t seem to be in dire need of anything. They are missing Mark Stuart on the blue line, but reports are that he could be returning after the All-Star break. They have a balanced enough line-up, but they would definitely benefit from some third line scoring and/or a veteran presence for the probable playoff run in the months to come.
The Biggest Storyline
Maurice became the second-youngest coach to win 500 games behind only the legendary Scotty Bowman this season. Maurice is only 45 years old. He has had a long coaching career, getting his shot in the NHL all the way back in 1995-96 with the Hartford Whalers as an assistant coach, then getting promoted to head coach the very next season. He hasn’t won the Stanley Cup in his 18-year career, but to be fair he has coached some tough teams that have not had playoffs success or were just not built for playoffs. Congratulations Paul, here’s to another 500 wins, and a Stanley Cup on the side. Maurice has turned the team around since taking over for Claude Noel last year and has the Jets playing at a high level despite the numerous injuries they have endured. He is a candidate for the Jack Adams at this point in the season.
Dustin Byfuglien played most of last season as a forward and was able to put up a career-high 56 points. The big-hitting right winger was looking forward to putting up even better numbers, as was the city of Winnipeg, but when the Jets defense corps got decimated by injuries, Maurice made the decision to put Byfuglien back to defense. Despite being put back on the blue line, “Big Buff” has still impressed, notching 31 points in 48 games, while also having respectable advanced stats: 50.9% CF%, 51.4 FF%, 9.5 oiSH%, 101.8 PDO, 0.8 G/60, 1.5 P/60. His move back to the blue line may also account for the Jets overall great numbers. So for the time being, Big Buff will be staying put.
Conclusion
The Jets are on a five-game winning streak right now and once the All-Star break is over on the 27th, they will be hitting the ground running, meeting the Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers, Dallas Stars, Calgary Flames, and Vancouver Canucks, respectively, all in a short week. They will be on the road for all but one of those games: the Stars game. If Hutchinson and Pavelec can sustain the winning tandem and grab as many points as they can for the team, then making the playoffs should be a breeze. The team will need to stay focused going into the stretch and keep calm while they gear up for what should be a great and thunderous next 34 plus games.
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