A question on most people’s minds as the Winnipeg Jets began the 2024-25 season was how they were going to replicate the success they had in 2023-24 considering the players they lost in free agency.
There were two potential ways new head coach Scott Arniel and company could respond to the question of how they were going to avoid regression. The first: to keep building on what they already did well during the 52-win 2023-24. The second: to find new areas to improve in and get contributions they didn’t a season ago. The Jets have done both early on, getting off to an NHL-best and Jets 2.0 franchise-best 13-1-0 record.
Here, we’ll focus on the latter and dive into three things the Jets are getting this season they didn’t last season — things that are contributing to their improved start and have them looking like a serious wagon.
1: Consistent Power-Play Production
From dumpster fire to on fire in a single season: take a bow, Davis Payne, for the work you’ve done on the Jets’ power play.
The Jets are converting on a ridiculous and league-leading 42.11 per cent of their man advantages (16/38.) Both units assembled by new assistant coach Payne have looked consistently dangerous and move the puck wonderfully, with the first unit (Nikolaj Ehlers/Gabriel Vilardi/Mark Scheifele/Kyle Connor/Josh Morrissey) cashing in for nine goals and the second unit (Nino Niederreiter/Vladislav Namestnikov/Cole Perfetti/Alex Iafallo/Neal Pionk) cashing in for seven.
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“You’ve seen that in multiple games where if our unit doesn’t score, the first unit will come out and get a big one for us and vice versa. It’s really important to have two threats on the power play and we don’t give any team any breaks on the penalty kill,” Perfetti, who has three power-play goals, said recently. (From ‘Jets enjoying success as Connor’s game matures,’ Winnipeg Free Press, Nov. 5, 2024.)
Our power play is so good it’s almost a passing grade on a report card 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ChALxUqEjj
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) November 6, 2024
It’s quite the departure from last season, when the 22nd-ranked power play converted at just 18.75 per cent and was too often predictable, passive, and static.
The Jets were one of the NHL’s best teams at five on five last season and the team needs to retain a focus on five on five as a key part of their identity. However, the few…
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