Winnipeg Jets: Predictions for the Upcoming Playoff Season
The Winnipeg Jets have been surprisingly successful this season. Here’s the prediction as to why they’ll make the playoffs this season. And perhaps not just make it, but go a long way.
No matter what team they’ve identified themselves as the Winnipeg Jets have never won a playoff game. It appears to be that even when they have a good season, such as the one they’re currently having, they’re not able to keep it going. So what’s different about this season compared to all the others?
To start, they have never been consistent for an entire season. This year, the Jets have had nothing but success from the beginning. In addition, they have an abundance of talent to boast that is now coupled with experience. Though it’s hard to believe, 19-year-old right winger Patrick Laine is not a rookie anymore.
24-year-old center Mark Scheifele and 21-year-old Nikolaj Ehlers are other perfect examples of young talent with now a solid amount of experience. Of course, this isn’t including their older talent such as Blake Wheeler and Bryan Little. The former has stepped up big after being asked to fill Scheifele’s spot due to an injury.
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And on the defensive angle of things, they also have a few big names to boast. Specifically, the Jets have Dustin Byfuglien, Jacob Trouba, and Josh Morrissey, who never fail to step up when it’s most necessary.
Their goaltending situation has finally been fixed at the hands of Connor Hellebuyck. In 42 games played so far this season, he has an impressive record of 26-6-8. Hellebuyck’s GAA is 2.36 and his save percentage is .924 percent. That’s all a team can ask for.
Another important thing to remember is that they’ve struggled through a plethora of injuries this season. As a testament to their resiliency, that hasn’t seemed to slow the Jets down at all.
Overall, this is a team with the depth and skill to take their playoff run a long way, much longer than anyone had expected. Their strength has helped them improve throughout the course of the season in more ways than one.
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Their playoff chances are extremely high right now, and it doesn’t look like that’s changing. They’re playing their best hockey at the most opportune time of the season. And if the last two seasons for the Pittsburgh Penguins have proven anything, that may just be all a team needs to win.