GM #15: Winnipeg Jets at Anaheim Ducks
The Winnipeg Jets have had a tough start to their west coast road trip, losing their first two games against the LA Kings and the San Jose Sharks. They have only managed to score one goal against these opponents' goaltenders.
As a result, the Jets' record has fallen to 9-5-0 in the early part of the NHL 2025-26 season. Injuries have disrupted head coach Scott Arniel’s plans from the beginning, impacting the team’s performance compared to their President’s Trophy-winning campaign last season.
Although the overall record is still respectable (18 points compared to 26 points last year), expectations for a repeat of the previous 13-1-0 start were always unrealistic. The deeper statistics, especially at 5-on-5 play, are less promising—this area often predicts playoff success.
Performance Comparison
Comparing the Jets’ last two seasons shows some decline but not drastic:
- Despite dropping six spots in overall rankings, Winnipeg is projected to score only 6 fewer 5-on-5 goals than last season (164 goals projected vs. 170 last year).
- The Goals For per Game average remains nearly identical.
"Yes, the overall record isn’t that bad comparably (18 pts versus 26 pts last yr) considering we never really expected the Jets to break out to another 13-1-0 start."
"The underlying data is not very encouraging, especially when I dig into the numbers for 5 on 5 play (a key area that often reflects how successful a club will be in the playoffs)."
In summary, injuries and tougher competition have hindered the Jets’ road trip, but their fundamental scoring and game metrics suggest potential for recovery this season.
Author’s summary: Despite a rocky start and injury challenges, the Winnipeg Jets maintain solid underlying stats, hinting at potential growth as the season unfolds.