Jets Take Off to the Playoffs

A packed Thursday night of NHL action only saw one team with the opportunity to lock up a playoff spot. That team was the Winnipeg Jets, and their destiny was in full control. A win would do it. If not, just one point and the Blues losing would get it done. Or a Blues regulation loss and a Wild loss would also get the job done. The schedule was interesting, as there were Eastern Conference games and Western Conference games, and and the three games connected to the scenario all played at the same time: Flames @ Jets, Avalanche @ Wild, and Blues @ Predators.

The Wild and Blues were both losing (in the case of the Blues, it was big time), but even so, the Jets didn't need the backup plan. Winnipeg took dominated the Flames in grand fashion, led by a Hat Trick by Gabriel Vilardi. A 5-2 victory placed the Jets into the playoffs, a moment they celebrated in front of their home fans.

It's amazing. For this team, this is their 25th year of existence, but their 24th in play. In their first 17 seasons, the Jets only reached the playoffs twice: 2007 (their only appearance as the Atlanta Thrashers) and 2015, with no playoff games won. This is their sixth playoff appearance in the last seven seasons, and the stretch began with their amazing run to the Western Conference Final in 2018. However, the Jets have only won one playoff series since that awesome run, and they are coming off a five game loss to the Vegas Golden Knights in the opening round--the second time in this stretch they lost in Round 1 to the team who would go on to win the Stanley Cup (2019 was the first).

With the Jets, it's a tale of two Connors, and I'll start with the one with Connor as his surname. Kyle Connor's been the centerpiece of this team, but I do remember the news of his injury. He missed quite a few games for the Jets, but a funny thing happened: the Jets went on a winning tear. This isn't surprising. As good as Connor is, the Jets are quite the deep team. Mark Schiefele's leading the team in points with 66 (23 G/43 A), while Josh Morrissey is second with 63 (9 G/54 A) and still proving to be one of the best defensemen in the league. Another member of that Jets core, Nikolaj Ehlers, is also having an amazing season with 56 points (23 G/33 A), and Connor has picked up where left off very well. His 30 goals lead the team, and he also leads the team in GWGs with nine.

What's also helped is that the Jets made an amazing trade prior to this season, sending Pierre-Luc Dubois to the Los Angeles Kings for Gabriel Vilardi and Alex Iafallo. I said when that deal was made, "The Kings gave up too much for Dubois," and it looks like it's true so far--the Jets clearly won the deal.

And now to the other Connor, the one in net. Connor Hellebuyck's groove is back. I still remember when he won the Vezina in 2020, and there have been talks about him possibly winning it again. Hellebuyck's numbers: 33-19-4, a .920 SV%, a 2.42 GAA, and four shutouts. He's definitely back in that groove he had four years ago. Hellebuyck's backup, Laurent Brossoit, has also done well in the time he's been in net. So far, Brossoit is 13-5-2 wiht a .925 SV%, a 2.10 GAA, and a pair of shutouts. Very good tandem in net for the Jets.

So here's the story so far. The Jets are the eighth team to clinch a playoff spot this season, meaning that the field is half full. In addition, the Jets are the second Canadian club to be part of the dance, and the third team in the Central to officially get in, with Winnipeg sitting behind Dallas and Colorado in the standings. The Jets will need a lot to happen to return to the first place spot that they lost due to their recent skid, but right now, they look like they will at least avoid being a Wild Card. The remaining two weeks will determine where the Jets finish, and we will definitely see if the Jets can improve from their recent playoff appearances, especially last year.

If you like this story, click the heart and the subscribe button, and feel free to comment below! Tips and pledges would be greatly appreciated, but only if you want to do so!