In the heart of Winnipeg, the Jets are gearing up for the upcoming NHL season, with a keen eye on making a deep post-season run to satisfy their loyal fan base. After being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs for two consecutive seasons, the pressure is on for the team to deliver when it matters most.
New head coach Scott Arniel is well aware of the expectations placed upon him and the team. He understands that the disappointment of early playoff exits still lingers in the minds of fans and players alike. However, Arniel remains focused on establishing a style of play that will lead to sustained success.
“I’m not (thinking) that far down the road. I’m worrying about Edmonton and Game 1,” Arniel remarked ahead of the Jets’ regular-season opener against the Oilers. “We’ve talked an awful lot about compete and making sure that when we get into games that our level of compete is higher than the opposition. Hopefully on those tough nights and tough travel, tough back-to-backs or whatever they might be, that that’s the difference in the hockey game.”
Arniel, who took over as head coach after Rick Bowness retired, brings a wealth of experience to the team. He served as an associate coach for the past two seasons and even posted an impressive 15-7-3 record when filling in for Bowness.
The Jets’ disappointing first-round exit at the hands of the Colorado Avalanche last season still stings. Despite finishing fourth overall in the NHL with an impressive 52-24-6 record, the team faltered when it mattered most in the playoffs. This has only fueled the desire to make amends this season.
Star goaltender Connor Hellebuyck was a bright spot for the Jets, winning both the William M. Jennings Trophy and a second Vezina Trophy for his outstanding play during the regular season. However, he struggled in the playoffs, posting a 5.23 goals-against average and a .870 save percentage.
It has been far too long since Winnipeg has made it past the first round of the playoffs, with their last appearance in the second round dating back to 2021. The pressure is on for the Jets to put their past playoff disappointments behind them and focus on making a deep run this season. Only time will tell if they have what it takes to deliver for their fans and finally break their playoff curse.
