The Winnipeg Jets are undeniably the most effective group within the NHL as of now. The Jets have damaged a number of NHL information, and have received 15 of their first 16 video games. It is fairly the stunning begin to the season for a group many anticipated to be good-to-great however not elite. Nevertheless, in accordance with Nikolaj Ehlers, this all goes again to the spring and entails the Colorado Avalanche.
The Jets have been a Stanley Cup contender heading into the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Winnipeg discovered a smothering defensive system that allowed them to rely much less on star goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. However this technique crumbled within the postseason. The Avalanche eradicated the Jets in 5 video games after dropping the primary contest.
Ehlers pointed to this when talking concerning the group’s motivation in 2024-25. “The top of final yr was an enormous wakeup name,” Ehlers advised NHL.com on Tuesday. “With the season that we needed to then lose within the playoffs like we did was irritating. I feel all of us knew we wanted to vary some issues, and it wasn’t gamers. It was our mentality, the best way we go to work each single day. That has paid off.”
Jets, Nikolaj Ehlers have discovered profitable formulation
Nikolaj Ehlers and the Jets seem to have reached a brand new stage this season. Whether or not they can keep this new stage for the rest of the season definitely stays to be seen. Nevertheless, there are a number of causes past a crushing defeat to the Avalanche for this white-hot begin.
As an illustration, the group has put an emphasis on consistency and accountability this yr. “I feel our dedication to consistency and displaying up and grabbing the man subsequent to you and ensuring they’ve their greatest tonight is simply at one other stage this yr,” Winnipeg ahead Kyle Connor advised NHL.com.
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It additionally helps to have one among — if not the only greatest — goaltenders within the recreation. Hellebuyck is on monitor for a second consecutive Vezina Trophy as the most effective puck-stopper within the league. He set a franchise document for the longest shutout streak in current video games. And he at present sits as the one goalie within the league with greater than 10 wins.
“We’ve a lot confidence in him and when you’ve a goalie like that it makes it simpler,” Jets ahead Mark Scheifele stated, by way of NHL.com. “Clearly, he is been improbable. Some nights we play nice in entrance of him and make it a better night time, and a few nights we’d like him to choose us up and he does that. It is the signal of a great group.”
The Jets are off to top-of-the-line begins in NHL historical past. Winnipeg is trying to show that final yr’s first-round exit doesn’t outline them. To date, they’re wanting each bit the a part of a Stanley Cup contender.