Winnipeg looks like a deeper, more polished team so far this season, which should make them a serious contender for the Central Division crown, Travis Yost writes.
Entering the 2024-25 season, I figured the NHL’s Central Division would be the deepest and most competitive of the league’s four groupings. That theory has been reinforced by what we’ve seen on the ice through the first two weeks of the season.
Offensively, the results have been a bit more surprising, and to the upside. Yes, the power play is firing on all cylinders, but they’re also shooting 33 per cent – an incredible start, but the type of puck luck that can delude our understanding of how effective that unit may be long term. What’s more encouraging is how the rest of the roster is playing. If you aggregate the bottom nine’s minutes together, they have outscored their opponents 9 to 2 and have done so while generally dictating the pace of play in all five games.
That’s an interesting strategy in the context of having a relative goaltending advantage on a nightly basis. A goaltender the calibre of Hellebuyck is hard to expose – even outside of structure. I don’t know if this is a strategy Winnipeg is leaning into or if they fell into it by random chance, but the idea of chasing more scoring opportunities offensively and leaning on Hellebuyck’s greatness to save you when the counterattacks and sustained pressure come isn’t a bad one.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Comrie thrilled to be back in net helping unbeaten Jets soarWINNIPEG — Eric Comrie was glad to help keep the good times rolling for the Winnipeg Jets.
Read more »
Comrie thrilled to be back in net helping unbeaten Jets soarWINNIPEG — Eric Comrie was glad to help keep the good times rolling for the Winnipeg Jets.
Read more »
Comrie thrilled to be back in net helping unbeaten Jets soarWINNIPEG — Eric Comrie was glad to help keep the good times rolling for the Winnipeg Jets.
Read more »
Kyle Connor scores winner for Jets in 3-2 pre-season win over FlamesWinnipeg goaltender Connor Hellebuyck makes 31 saves as Winnipeg Jets edge Calgary Flames 3-2
Read more »
Eric Comrie wins backup job as Winnipeg Jets place Kaapo Kahkonen on waiversAfter starting the season with three goalies on their roster the Jets placed Kaapo Kahkonen on waivers on Thursday.
Read more »
Winnipeg’s Hellebuyck earns 38th career shutout, Jets trounce Oilers 6-0Mason Appleton scores, adds pair of assists as Winnipeg Jets blast Edmonton Oilers 6-0
Read more »