How the Jets Can Avoid a Historic Downfall
The Winnipeg Jets find themselves at a critical juncture halfway through the NHL season. With a staggering ten-game losing streak, their performance could lead them to an unprecedented downfall. Historically, no reigning Presidents’ Trophy winner has finished the subsequent season with the worst record in the league.
Jets Facing a Historic Downfall
Currently, the Jets hold a dismal record of 1 win in their last 14 games (1-9-4). This troubling trend could mark them as the first Presidents’ Trophy winner to miss the playoffs in the following season. General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff expressed the team’s need to improve, recognizing the weight of responsibility they bear.
Scoring Depth Issues
A significant factor contributing to the Jets’ struggles is their lack of scoring depth. This season, only four players—Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele, Gabriel Vilardi, and Josh Morrissey—average at least 0.5 points per game. This is a reduction from seven players last season. Notably, Nikolaj Ehlers, one of the effective scorers, left the team during the offseason.
- Kyle Connor: 20 goals, 24 assists
- Mark Scheifele: 20 goals, 21 assists
- Gabriel Vilardi: 6 goals, 8 assists
- Josh Morrissey: 4 goals, 8 assists
Connor and Scheifele have managed to outperform oppositions by a score of 42-33 during five-on-five play when on the ice together. However, when they are apart, the Jets have been outscored 51-39, highlighting the team’s reliance on this duo.
Coaching Decisions and Line Adjustments
Head Coach Scott Arniel is facing pressure as he considers the structure of the lineup. His decision to keep Connor and Scheifele together is based on the chemistry they have developed over nearly 3,400 minutes together since the start of the 2021-22 season. Despite their success when paired, the lack of secondary scoring demands evaluation.
Recent adjustments included swapping Vilardi with Alex Iafallo on the top line. The second line, led by Jonathan Toews, has yet to make significant contributions, resulting in a minus-nine goal differential during Toews’ ice time.
Arniel acknowledged the challenges that come with Toews’ recent return after a lengthy absence from the game. Yet, the team remains hopeful that reconfiguring the lines will spark the necessary offensive output.
Playoff Outlook
The Jets’ playoff chances have drastically decreased during their losing streak, dropping from 32.9% to an alarming 4.2%. Despite the stakes, Arniel has hesitated to break the Connor-Scheifele duo up. However, with every game counting more than the last, he suggested that “everything is on the table” moving forward.
As the Jets continue to navigate through this challenging phase, the urgency to avoid a historic downfall becomes more pressing. The upcoming games will be crucial in determining whether they can salvage their season.
