The Winnipeg Jets concluded a three-game homestand Sunday night with a 3-2 loss to the Central Division leading Utah Mammoth. Overall, the Jets went 1-2-0 on the homestand. After getting smothered by the Seattle Kraken in a 3-0 loss on Thursday, the Jets responded with a 5-3 victory over the Calgary Flames on Friday night. Eric Comrie got the win against the Flames while Connor Hellebuyck was on the losing end of both defeats.
Mammoth have arrived
After being cellar dwellers in the Central Division for many years, the former Arizona Coyotes have finally seemed to have turned the corner. As it stands right now, the Utah Mammoth sit atop the Central with a 7-2 record after back to back wins in consecutive nights over the Minnesota Wild and the Jets. The core of their team is made up of many players that were high draft picks such as Logan Cooley (third overall in 2022), Dylan Guenther (ninth in overall 2021), Clayton Keller (seventh overall in 2016) and Dmitriy Simashev (sixth overall in 2023).
Reinforcements getting closer for Jets
After being bitten by the injury bug during pre-season play, it looks like some of the Jets players are getting closer to returning. Adam Lowry may be the closest. He wore a regular jersey during the most recent optional practice. Both Cole Perfetti and Dylan Samberg are a step behind as they continue to don yellow no-contact sweaters during practice.
The return of these players will be a welcomed sight. The Jets’ 5-on-5 play has not been great to start the season despite the team sitting with a decent 6-3-0 record through nine games.
Jets rookies not producing
With the injuries they had to begin the season, there has been a prime opportunity for young players Brad Lambert and Nikita Chibrikov to step-up and assert themselves into the starting lineup. So far, both players have disappointed. They have combined for seven games and have failed to put up any points while being a combined minus-3 to start the season. Unless they start to produce immediately, both will find themselves sent down to the Manitoba Moose once Lowry and Perfetti return.
Vilardi finally scores
After being snake-bitten to start the season, Gabe Vilardi finally got his first goal of the season Friday night against the Flames. He now has seven points through nine games (1G, 6A). Meanwhile, Mark Scheifele scored his team-leading eighth goal of the season against the Mammoth on Sunday night on the power play. He remains tied for the league lead.
Up next, the Jets travel to the State of Hockey for a match-up against their rival, the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday night.
