Jets hit first patch of turbulence
Defensive game holding things together, but lacking finish
Winnipeg Jets centre Viggo Bjorck (right, with St. Louis Blues defenceman Colton Parayko on his heels Tuesday) has yet to record a point while the second line has yet to tally at even strength. JEFF ROBERSON / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
DALLAS — The Winnipeg Jets are getting an early test in the age old battle that pits process versus results.
After dropping three games in a row and four of the past five (1-3-1), a fast start out of the gate (3-0-1) has been met with some turbulence.
But it’s not like the Jets have abandoned the structure that allowed them to start well — the defensive side of the game has mostly been sound, even through this latest bump in the road.
Sure, there have been times when turnovers and puck management have led to glorious chances against, but the structure has mostly remained in place and provided a stable foundation.
When breakdowns occur — which is common for even the most buttoned-down teams — the goaltending tandem of Stuart Skinner and Clay Stevenson has mostly ensured the Jets are staying in games.
There’s been one lopsided blowout: the 5-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks as the Jets closed out a stretch of five games in eight days to open the 2026-27 campaign.
The Jets did something similar to the Minnesota Wild in a 5-2 victory on Oct. 13, but other than that, there have been seven one-goal games.
It was evident early that for the Jets to enjoy consistent success they would need to get comfortable playing in tight games. And for the most part that has transpired, but with one noticeable caveat: a lack of scoring, especially beyond the top line, has left Jets head coach Scott Arniel in a bit of a quandary.
Both the quantity and quality of the scoring chances have been there some nights. The finish, more often not, simply hasn’t been. That’s why the search for answers is ongoing.
The goal is to create more offence, but without straying on the defensive side to do so.
That’s a non-negotiable and it doesn’t make sense for the Jets to opt for a more wide open style in an effort to outscore the opposition in a bunch of 5-4 or 6-5 games.
“That’s one of those things where you can’t cheat the game to create the offence because then you’re going to start bleeding chances and you’re going to start bleeding goals against,” said Jets captain Adam Lowry. “It’s a double-edged sword. Eventually, if you create enough chances, they’re going to go in.
“You’ve got to trust your finishing ability. That’s kind of where we stand with it.”
So what’s the next step? There have been tweaks to most lines. But the problem there is Arniel must try to strike a balance between mixing up the lines and providing time for chemistry to potentially bloom.
Tuesday was a prime example.
With Alex Iafallo bumped to the second line with Viggo Bjorck and Gabriel Vilardi, the Jets owned the shot share (10-2) at even strength (including several Grade A chances), but it didn’t translate into tangible results.
“You’ve got to look at the law of averages. They’re not going to shoot zero per cent when they’re on the ice,” said Lowry. “We’re nine games in and we know we need to start scoring. We need to start chipping in. Especially in those guys’ cases, the chances are there. They make enough good plays and they’re going to connect on one. Maybe (get) a lucky one and it seems like the dam breaks.”
In one of the more complex statistical oddities, the Jets’ second line has yet to score at even strength and the season is closing in on being 10 per cent complete.
That’s not a sustainable formula for success, no matter how dominant the top line of Mark Scheifele (two goals, eight points), Kyle Connor (8G, 11P) and Cole Perfetti (6G, 9P) have been.
The various permutations of Lowry’s unit have contributed to the secondary scoring, but more is required throughout the lineup.
Six of the 13 forwards to suit up for the Jets this season have bulged the twine — and four of them have done it more than once (Connor, Perfetti, Iafallo and Scheifele).
“Our top line is buzzing and they traditionally always buzz,” said Lowry. “But it would be nice to take some of the pressure off of them.”
This isn’t about asking one player to step up and do more, it’s about the collective finding a way to change the narrative.
“That’s a part of the game I need to help with here. I can do it,” said Jets winger Isak Rosen, a prolific scorer in the American Hockey League who had 87 goals and 185 points in 231 regular-season games with the Rochester Americans before being traded to the Jets by the Buffalo Sabres.
“I just have to get to those hard areas even more. It doesn’t have to be a nice goal, but it has to go in. I’ve got to help with that and I think it’s going to come.”
Inserting Brayden Yager after his torrid start with the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League makes sense in the search for an offensive boost, but Arniel isn’t asking him to do the heavy lifting or turn things around by himself either.
Still, Yager’s speed, smarts, playmaking and shooting ability should be a welcome addition.
“He’s been a key cog in that offensive resurgence. He’s had a great start,” said Lowry, referring to the five goals and nine points in six AHL games. “I’m just looking for him to play like he’s been playing with the Moose. You don’t have to come in and change your game. We want him to make plays, we want him to get to the net, we want him to be a catalyst. He’s an extremely smart player.”
And when slumps arrive — especially early — it’s about providing reassurance.
“Yeah, it happens around the league. Guys take a bit to get going and usually they get the first one, and they get off and running after that,” said Arniel. “As much as you try to tell them, ‘Don’t worry about it. Go play your game, go do all the other things. It’ll come,’ it just still lingers on the back of the mind.
“It’s about getting to the net. It might be one off your skate or your ass, or whatever it might be. It may have to be a rebound or a deflection. It isn’t always just a shot, so go to the areas where the puck’s going to be and maybe that’ll help speed things up.”