Fansided

5 reasons why Winnipeg Jets will win the Stanley Cup

By Thomas Brandwood

OTTAWA, ON - APRIL 2: Andrew Copp
OTTAWA, ON - APRIL 2: Andrew Copp /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
WINNIPEG, MB – JANUARY 30: Dustin Byfuglien
WINNIPEG, MB – JANUARY 30: Dustin Byfuglien /

3. The Blake Wheeler/Dustin Byfuglien factor

The Jets have two game-breakers in captain Blake Wheeler and alternate captain Dustin Byfuglien. Both are vibrant members of the Jets’ leadership group and have the ability to play in all situations. It helps that one plays on the back end, while the other leads the charge up front.

Blake Wheeler has emerged as a legit star in the NHL. Tied for the league lead in assists with 68 and leading the Jets in points with 91 in 81 games backs star status. Wheeler plays on the NHL’s fourth best power play, operating at 23.7 percent, and the league’s ninth-best penalty kill, killing nearly 82 percent of penalties they take. Wheeler is the ultimate workhorse, and the perfect captain to have heading into a lengthy playoff run.

Dustin Byfuglien is a beast of a defender for the Jets. The 6-foot-5, 260-pound assistant captain plays both special team positions for the Jets. Byfuglien has also had one of his finest seasons to date, with 43 points in 67 games and a plus-12 rating.

With two players who have the ability to break a game wide open at any point, the Jets are in good hands moving forward.

Home/Winnipeg Jets