Are the Winnipeg Jets really this good? Inside their hot start

One of the most impressive things about the Winnipeg Jets this season is how unimpressed they are with their record-breaking start.

“You can’t get caught up in what you’ve just done. You’ve got to worry about your next opponent,” said Scott Arniel, in his first season as the team’s head coach. “This group has been awesome with just ‘reset, go to the next game.'”

Start the season with eight wins — and reset. Become the first NHL team to win 15 of its first 16 games — and reset. Dominate the first month and a half of the season both offensively and defensively while posting a points percentage that would be a new NHL regular-season record if they’re able to sustain it — and reset.

In a season of surprises, none have been more shocking than the sudden ascent of the Jets. They were a 110-point team last season that was eliminated in the opening round, saw talented players defect as free agents and made its most significant change behind the bench, as Arniel stepped in for a retiring Rick Bowness.

Just 19 games into the 2024-25 season, the Jets are a juggernaut.

How did Winnipeg become so dominant? What’s changed from last season? Is it possible this is sustainable and the Jets should be a Stanley Cup favorite?

Here’s a deep dive into all things Winnipeg Jets, and whether this sensation will last.

What has changed from last season?

The Jets were already considered a strong defensive team. Most of that credit went to goalie Connor Hellebuyck, who captured his second Vezina Trophy last season while helping the Jets to a share of the NHL lead in goals against average (2.41 per game). But the team in front of him was tied for 10th overall in expected goals against per 60 minutes last season.

It’s their offense that’s the biggest change season-over-season. Through 18 games, the Jets were averaging 4.11 goals per game, after averaging 3.16 in 2023-24. That’s after a Florida swing that saw them muster just one tally against the Tampa Bay Lightning and nothing against the Florida Panthers. They earned a little revenge on Tuesday, besting the Panthers 6-3.

The Jets became the fourth team since 1967-68 to lead the NHL in goals for and against per game through their first 15 games. Their 73 goals in 16 games was the third most by a team in its…