5 takeaways from the Winnipeg Jets’ opening week

WINNIPEG — Three video games into the 2026-27 NHL season, the Winnipeg Jets stay almost excellent, gathering 5 of a attainable six factors.

The Jets (2-0-1) have tuned out the distraction attributable to Connor Hellebuyck’s commerce holdout, taking the Boston Bruins to extra time earlier than incomes one-goal victories over the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins.

Under head coach Scott Arniel, the Jets have proven a constant blueprint targeted closely on the defensive zone. A revamped crease has given the membership an opportunity to win every evening, particular groups rank among the many greatest within the league and depth scoring has been a welcome presence.

It’s a small pattern measurement, to make certain, and there can be ups and downs over an 84-game season, however the early indicators are promising. Here are 5 takeaways from the Jets’ opening week.

Goaltending was the largest query mark going through the Jets after Hellebuyck’s holdout. While the entrance workplace works for a decision, administration has to love what it is seen within the crease to date.

Stuart Skinner conceded a delicate aim from distance within the season-opener in opposition to Boston, however stayed sharp, notably within the third interval, to salvage some extent. Fans contained in the constructing shortly embraced their new starter, serenading the 27-year-old with “Stuuu” chants even after routine stops. He repaid them with a stellar 34-save efficiency in opposition to Detroit to safe his first win in Winnipeg.

Clay Stevenson made an equally robust impression in his first style of recreation motion, stopping 29 pictures in a victory in opposition to Pittsburgh. The rookie appeared poised all through, limiting a Penguins offence to 2 objectives after it racked up 13 of their first two video games.

It’s a small pattern measurement, but when Stevenson can flip his AHL success into constant NHL work, Winnipeg would possibly simply have a future 1A-1B tandem. It’s a technique many good NHL groups observe, because it retains each goalies contemporary, however it requires consistency from each netminders.

Bjorck incomes coach’s belief

It should not be regarding that Viggo Bjorck has but to register his first NHL level. While the Jets will want the 18-year-old rookie to provide, there are sufficient inexperienced flags to counsel it is solely a matter of time.

Bjorck was robbed in shut by Jeremy Swayman in opposition to Boston and could not beat the submit on a partial breakaway in Detroit. He’s additionally created some high-danger probabilities for his linemates that merely have not cashed in.

While his scoring contact will come, Bjorck’s defensive recreation already appears prepared for the NHL. There have been anticipated rising pains — together with a expensive turnover resulting in Detroit’s tying aim and a blind go by means of the legs to nobody — however his persistence with the puck and knack for creating turnovers present a stable basis.

Arniel clearly trusts him, giving Bjorck time on each the ability play and penalty kill. He was additionally out to guard third-period leads in opposition to Boston and Detroit, and took a defensive-zone face-off in extra time versus the Bruins.

Arniel triggered the line-blender in opposition to Pittsburgh, swapping wingers Isak Rosén and Morgan Barron, which offered an immediate increase to the road. Rosén generated scoring probabilities, however Barron’s measurement and veteran presence gave the road an edge, and will probably be price watching if the brand new traces stick.

Special groups cleared the path

Usually, you would not put an excessive amount of inventory into particular groups after three video games. But given Winnipeg’s stark drop-off final season in comparison with their President’s Trophy marketing campaign, each items have been all the time going to be beneath the microscope.

Indeed, 4 power-play objectives by means of 9 intervals is tough to disregard. While three have been in opposition to a rebuilding Red Wings membership, it is nonetheless a constructive signal the Jets’ new strategy is working. During coaching camp, the Jets targeted on being sooner and extra aggressive.

Kyle Connor already has three objectives on the man-advatange, which is threatening the 5 he scored all final season. Cole Perfetti notched the opposite marker and has assists on all three of Connor’s objectives, whereas Gabriel Vilardi and Josh Morrissey every have two assists.

The penalty kill has been almost excellent, killing off eight of the membership’s 9 penalties. Adam Lowry and Morgan Barron stay the first shutdown pair up entrance, however Winnipeg has additionally blended in Connor and Bjorck to offer the unit an offensive risk.

Finding secondary offence

The Jets know they can not count on their high line to hold the offence as a lot as they did final 12 months. Earning a playoff spot would require secondary scoring from up and down the lineup.

So it was an encouraging signal to see the blue line become involved so early, with Dylan DeMelo and Mario Ferraro each hitting the twine in opposition to Boston. Arniel famous the significance of the defence pushing the play, particularly in opposition to groups that may damage you with their transition recreation.

Secondary scoring led on to the win in opposition to Pittsburgh, sparked by an overhauled third line of Lowry, Rosén and Alex Iafallo. Promoted from the fourth line, Iafallo had a direct affect, scoring to tie the sport early within the third interval earlier than establishing Lowry to take a 2-1 lead.

Depth scoring has helped masks a sluggish begin for Scheifele, who has but to register some extent. But there is no motive to be involved over a participant who eclipsed 100 factors final season, particularly since Scheifele has been always across the puck in all three video games.

Bauer punching above his weight

Skinner is perhaps garnering probably the most love from followers, however the loudest ovation this season has been reserved for rookie Tyrel Bauer.

Bauer dropped the gloves in his first two video games in opposition to a pair of bona fide NHL heavyweights in Boston’s Mark Kastelic and Detroit’s Keegan Kolesar. He received each scraps handily, leaving Kastelic’s jersey blood-stained and Kolesar tumbling to the ice after two arduous lefts.

Fighting is a polarizing subject for some followers, however inside a locker room, it is the quickest option to endear your self to a staff. After the Boston recreation, Connor known as Bauer a “phenomenal teammate,” whereas Skinner emphatically claimed, “that’s a guy you’d run through a train for.”

Heading into the season, many questioned whether or not Bauer deserved a spot on the roster. However, regardless of averaging simply seven minutes of ice time, the 24-year-old’s place on the staff appears firmly entrenched. The Jets will head into some intimidating buildings this season feeling snug with Bauer in tow, as he shortly establishes himself as one of many league’s most feared fighters.