After an incredible regular season that has seen the Winnipeg Jets win 50-plus games for the first time in the franchise’s modern history, Canada’s best team is soaring at the right time. Let’s take a look at five reasons why they could win hockey’s ultimate prize, the Stanley Cup.
After missing the playoffs in 2017, the continued development of the Winnipeg Jets has made them fly higher then ever before.
Led by captain Blake Wheeler, Winnipeg possesses one of the deepest rosters in the entire NHL.
Not only has the team’s play been consistent throughout the regular season, but the Jets have begun to play their best hockey at the right time of year, only days prior to the postseason. With home ice on their side, the Jets are a force to be reckoned with.
5. Connor Hellebuyck
In the Atlanta Thrashers/Winnipeg Jets modern franchise history, the teams have always lacked stability and consistency in goal. Kari Lehtonen, Onrej Pavelec, Steve Mason… I don’t need to go any further, you get the point.
Come the 2017-18 season, however, that changed. The accelerated development of 24 year old Connor Hellebuyck has provided the Winnipeg Jets everything they lacked in years previous — a legit starting goaltender who has the potential to become elite.
Through his development, Hellebuyck has dominated nearly every league he has played in. Hellebuyck truly began to shine in college hockey at UMass Lowell. In the two years Hellebuyck spent playing college hockey, he posted a brilliant 1.67 GAA, .946 SVP%, 38-12-2 record and 12 shutouts. His solid play reflected his team’s championship in its conference both years he played. Hellebuyck also received the Mike Ritcher trophy, handed to college hockey’s top goaltender.
Moving onto the pros, Hellebuyck’s dominance continued. After two solid years in the minor’s, Hellebuyck began to take over the Jets crease in 2015. After two years splitting time as the team’s starter, this season, Hellebuyck truly emerged as the team’s No. 1 net-minder. In 65 games, he recorded a 42-11-9 record, 2.40 GAA, and 9.22 SVP%, with six shutouts to boot. His 42 wins are second all-time among American-born NHL goaltenders.
Come the playoffs, look for the young goaltender’s play to continue to elevate as the Jets make a run at the Cup and Hellebuyck chases goaltender stardom.