3 Reasons the Winnipeg Jets are Poised for the Playoffs

The Winnipeg Jets are one of the more fascinating teams in the NHL this season.

I had high hopes for what the Jets might be able to do over the summer, but after they didn’t do much, I gave up on them. After all, the team was coming off a season in which they finished sixth in the Central Division and missed the postseason.

To my surprise, the Jets are 25-13-1 and find themselves in a tight battle for the lead in the Central. So, what changed? Why is Winnipeg not only in a playoff spot but contending for a division crown?

How have the Jets found success in the 2022-2023 season?

Several things have helped right the ship for Winnipeg, such as a new head coach and a trio of point-per-game skaters, but there are three reasons in particular that the Jets are flying high as they approach the halfway point in the season.

Josh Morrissey

I’ll start with one of those point-per-game players: defenseman Josh Morrissey. I’m not sure where this offensive output came from for the 27-year-old, but he’s got seven goals and 39 assists for 46 points in 39 games.

Yes, he is recording an assist per game, which is unthinkable. His 46 points are tied for the most among Jets skaters, and his 39 assists put him at fifth in the NHL in that category. Morrissey was selected to the 2023 NHL All-Star game and has helped this team thrive this season.

Team Defense

Morrissey generating offense from the back end is one of the ways in which this team has excelled at the blue line, but it’s not the only reason. As a team, the Jets are in the top half of the NHL in terms of shots allowed per game, and they boast a top-five penalty kill.

On the year, Winnipeg surrenders only 2.5 goals per game, which is second in the NHL behind the Boston Bruins. Last year, this club gave up 3.1 goals per contest. Defense has always been a shortcoming for the offensively-gifted Jets, but that has not been the case this season.

Connor Hellebuyck

Of course, the key cog for Winnipeg is goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. The 29-year-old suffered one of his worst NHL seasons last year but has rebounded nicely in this campaign. He owns a 20-9-1 record, a 2.30 goals against average (GAA), and a .928 save percentage.

Both his GAA and save percentage are the best of his Vezina Trophy-winning career. They’re elite numbers league-wide too, as he is fifth in GAA and second in save percentage.

With Hellebuyck on his game, everything seems to fall into place for the Jets.

I’m not convinced that the Jets can win the Stanley Cup, but with the way they’re playing right now, I’m certainly not excited if I’ve got them on my upcoming schedule.