The Winnipeg Jets won their fourth consecutive game on Thursday night. The team went into St. Paul and crushed one of the best teams in the league, the Minnesota Wild by a 6-2 count. Connor Hellebuyck got the win for the Jets.
Scorching Scheifele
With his goal and 3 assists in last nights game, Mark Scheifele now has 58 points in 46 games which is good for seventh in league scoring. He is also fourth amongst all Canadian skaters. Scheifele continues to make his case to be called up for Team Canada should there be any injuries to any Canadian forwards already named to the team. He is currently on pace for 103 points which would be a career high for him. One area where Scheifele is struggling is in the face-off circle.
He is sitting at 46.7% which would be a career low for him.
Stanzilla will cash in
Logan Stanley is having himself quite the year thus far. He scored his 8 th goal of the season last night. He has now 15 points through 45 games. It is perfect timing for him as his career year coincides with a contract year for him. Whether this season is an anomaly or not, time will tell. Nevertheless, rest assured he will get a nice new contract come July 1 st . If he is made available before the trade deadline, Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff should be able to get a decent return for him.
Jets show improved special teams
During this four-game winning streak, one key area of improvement has been the Jets special teams play. They have gone 4-for-11 on the power play and have been a perfect 8-8 on the penalty kill. Last season, the Jets special teams were amongst the best in the league so this current stretch is not out of the ordinary.
Jets give Salomonsson another shot
After not making the most of his earlier season call-up, defenceman Elias Salomonsson is getting another opportunity to solidify his spot in the Jets defence group. He is getting this opportunity with Neal Pionk, Colin Miller and Hadyn Fleury all being on IR. If he can make the most of this opportunity and stick with the big club, it will be easier for Cheveldayoff to trade Luke Schenn and/or Colin Miller. Both are on expiring contracts and will likely not be re-signed.
Big picture
Although the Jets have won four games in a row, expectations still need to be tempered. They still sit eight points out of the second wildcard spot with less than half of the season to go. There are also six teams between them and the San Jose Sharks who currently occupy that last playoff spot in the Western Conference. There are exactly 10 games remaining between now and the Olympic break.
Fair to say, these next 10 games may decide what path the Jets will take after the Olympic pause. For the Jets to make a run at the playoffs, they almost have to run the table and go 10-0 to have a realistic shot.
Winnipeg is back in action tomorrow night at the Canada Life Centre when they host the Toronto Maple Leafs. As always, there will be many Leaf supporters in attendance.
