The Jets are struggling to regain the form that got them into the playoffs last season. They are currently last in the Central Division and have numerous teams to pass in the standings in order to secure a wildcard spot.
One of the main reasons for their struggles so far are poor starts to games. Last season, Winnipeg scored the opening goal in 60 percent of their games and went on to win approximately 65 percent of them. This season they’re winning around 78 percent of games when they score first, but it’s only happened 39 percent of the time. That’s a pretty significant drop-off. Only Pittsburgh, Toronto, New Jersey, and Ottawa are scoring the first goal at a lesser rate.
The Jets seem to be scoring goals at about the same rate as last year, but the goals-against stat is killing them. Last year, they only allowed 0.67 first period goals per game. Through their first 46 games this year, they have allowed exactly one first period goal per game. That’s eight goals more than the second highest total (Dallas).
It’s difficult to win consistently when you’re “chasing” your opponent so often. The elite teams score first and know how to protect a lead. Washington, for example, has only lost one game in regulation when scoring first. Chicago leads the league by scoring the first goal of the game in 69 percent of their games.
It’s even harder when you’re missing some of your top offensive players. With Scheifele and Stafford on injured reserve, too much of the offensive burden is on the Ladd-Little-Wheeler line. The Jets have been forced to use rookie Joel Armia on the second line with
Perreault and Ehlers since the injury bug hit some of their top forwards. The trio has shown some nice chemistry together, but it’s expecting a lot out of them to carry the scoring load as a second line.
Another reason Winnipeg is not racking up the standings points at the same clip as last year is their lack of overtime games. I wish the league would change this rule, but you are guaranteed at least one point if you make it to overtime in the NHL. The Jets have lost far too many games in regulation and have been unable to score a late game-tying goal to send it to extra time. Only Buffalo, Edmonton, and Columbus have more regulation losses at this point.
Winnipeg has allowed 13 empty net goals already. This points to the fact that they are often in desperation mode at the end of the game and are having little success making a late push. Winnipeg and Toronto are the only teams to not win a game when trailing after the second period.
It certainly makes it harder to cheer for a team when they’re down and have a history of not being able to make a comeback. Unfortunately for Winnipeg Jets fans, that seems to be the case this season. There is still time to turn things around, but not much.
