15 reasons this NHL season took place in the Upside Down

7. Wheeler was amazeballs

Since their rightful return to the league, the Winnipeg Jets have been one of those teams that people objectively want to do well. And no, it’s not just because they want the team to succeed because it’s back in the Peg — although that plays a large part, even without the massive portrait of the Queen — but it’s also because they seem like they somehow deserve it.

The cool uniforms, the rabid fans of a small market, the coach who has been around forever but hasn’t really won anything — all are part of the appeal.

Now, with scoring machine Patrik Laine in place, the Jets are demanding respect. Few expected them to storm away with the Western Conference and make a mockery of some of their division rivals, especially the ones who have dominated them over the years. Laine deserves a tonne (metric reference) of credit, sure, but don’t sleep on the influence of burly Blake Wheeler, who set career marks for assists, points and power-play points, and was a bear to deal with while playing with an edge unrecognized in previous seasons. That, combined with the solid play of stud d-man Dustin Byfuglien and realized-potential goalie Connor Hellebuyck, gave coach Paul Maurice the warm feels all season. The Winnipeg Jets in the Stanley Cup finals? That’s some bizarre prediction action to begin this season but a realistic possibility in the first round.