JETS SAVOURING FIRST REAL SHOT AT CUP CONTENTION
Franchise’s long-suffering fan base can look ahead to playoffs, writes Paul Friesen.
You think it has already been an interesting season for the Winnipeg Jets?
You ain’t seen nothin’ yet. With the trade deadline arriving in less than a week, the return of healthy bodies and the stretch drive toward the playoffs, there won’t be any shortage of storylines around the second-most surprising team in the NHL.
“This is an exciting time of the season for this group,” centre Matt Hendricks said Monday. “We’ve taken a lot of steps to get here. We need to keep preparing ourselves every day, keep showing up at the rink every day and getting better.
“But yeah, this is a good time of year right now. Not the best time of year, but a good time of year.”
At 35-15-9 and locked in a fight with the Nashville Predators for top spot in the Central Division, the Jets are all but a lock to make just their second playoff appearance since returning to Winnipeg.
That’ll be a first for a slew of young players like Patrik Laine, Nik Ehlers, Josh Morrissey, Kyle Connor, Jack Roslovic, Andrew Copp, Joel Armia, Nic Petan and goalie Connor Hellebuyck.
At this point — and much can be undone through 23 more games — the Jets would go in as a first-round favourite with the home-ice advantage, too.
Coming off back-to-back home games in which they slaughtered the opposition by a combined 13-3 count, players had an extra bounce in their steps Monday.
“It’s fun to see the smiles on a lot of the young guys’ faces. It’s their first time getting into this position,” Hendricks, 36, said. “They need to cherish these moments because they don’t come along that often.”
One need only look at Hendricks’ old team, the Edmonton Oilers, to see that.
But given its lack of experience, how will his new team handle it all?
For instance, the Feb. 26 trade deadline could bring yet another player onto an already deep roster. Combine that with the return of Brandon Tanev, Shawn Matthias and eventually third-line centre Adam Lowry from injury.
“I think probably the healthiest way is to not worry about it,” said Hendricks, steeled by a decade in the big leagues. “Your play dictates where you’re going to sit in the lineup.”
Others may have egos that are more easily bruised, careers still to blossom.
“That’s the ultimate sacrifice this time of year,” Hendricks said. “You go home, can look in the mirror and be upset that you’re not playing. But you’ve got to have your teammates’ backs and be here for the right reasons. We’ve only got one guy in this lineup who’s ever won a Stanley Cup. I’ve made it as far as Game 7 in the second round. Not sure if anyone else has gone that far other than Buff (Dustin Byfuglien).
“So it takes everybody pulling on the rope together.”
It’s hard to argue with this team’s collection of skill. Its attention to the less-glamorous parts of the game is equally important.
Not only were the Jets third in goals scored per game, they were tied for fifth in goals against. It’s the former that causes Hendricks to call it a “special” group. Of course, he says last year’s Oilers were, too.
“I think we have a lot of threats here in terms of offence,” he said. “Our top three lines can score at any point in a game.”
This is exactly what defenceman Tyler Myers was hoping for when the Jets rescued him from Buffalo three years ago.
“It’s definitely fun,” Myers said. “We know the work left to do is ahead of us.”
It’s fun to see the smiles on a lot of the young guys’ faces. It’s their first time getting into this position. MATT HENDRICKS, Winnipeg Jets centre
Mark Scheifele (three goals, four assists, plus-8 in three games) was named the NHL’s third star of the week Monday, capping a virtually seamless return from a six-week injury absence.
“Yeah, I’m feeling better every game,” Scheifele said.
“When you’re out that long, you just want to get your legs under you as quick as you can. And obviously playing with the guys I’m playing with makes it easy.”
Scheifele’s wingers of late have been Blake Wheeler and rookie Kyle Connor. pfriesen@postmedia.com Twitter.com/friesensunmedia