The Winnipeg Jets are hitting the ice with momentum as they seek to complete an impeccable February with their 11th consecutive win against the Nashville Predators. Following their recent victory over the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday, where they triumphantly claimed a 4-1 victory, the Jets now stand alone at the top of the NHL standings, boasting 87 points. This commanding position is anchored by their impressive February performance, which has featured flawless victories and has significantly elevated their place within the league.
On Tuesday night, Connor Hellebuyck shined once again, making 24 saves for the Jets, who improved their record to 42-14-3. The young goalie has now achieved his own eight-game win streak, the second-longest for any goaltender in franchise history, only surpassed by his nine-game run during the 2017-18 season. Fans can always count on Hellebuyck to step up for the Jets, contributing to the team's continued success.
"That was probably the ugliest [win], I think," said Mason Appleton after the Ottawa game. "But at the end of the day, when you put together a streak like this, not every win is going to look the same... It’s a testimony to the kind of team we are and how deep we are to find different ways to win." Alongside Appleton, Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele both added to their personal tallies, each finishing Tuesday's game with one goal and one assist.
Revving their engines, the Jets are now prepared to face the Predators, who hold little ground this season with a record of 20-30-7. The Jets' road trip will continue as they aim for their 20th road win of the season, which would set the record for the fastest 20 road wins in team history. The current mark stands at 20 wins over 33 games, established just last year. Coach Scott Arniel acknowledged the necessity for his team to maintain consistency as they approach the end of the regular season and the playoffs, remarking about their shifting gameplay and the team's drive.
Heading toward Nashville on Thursday night, the Jets plunge forward, having been undefeated for the month of February with six stellar victories. The franchise-record streak stretches over 11 games including five wins at the close of January. Statistically speaking, Winnipeg’s scoring prowess remains apparent, positioning them as second overall and tied for the league’s best defensive posture—having accrued only 116 goals against.
One of the highlighted challenges for the Jets will be managing their performance following back-to-back games. Historically, they have struggled to carry momentum from previous games when faced with such scenarios, posting only one win out of five this season under similar conditions. Still, the coaching staff's confidence and the team's endurance may sway high hopes for victories.
“It’s not going to be pretty every night,” remarked Cole Perfetti, reflecting on their versatile play style. “We have some high-end talents, scorers and we score a lot of goals. But a big part of our offense also stems from our defense...our structure defensively. We’re just trying to stay on track with those details.” Perfetti will mark his 200th NHL game against the Predators, showing promising stats with 12 points accumulated over his last ten games, setting him on pace for his career-best season.
Meanwhile, the Predators will miss their captain, Roman Josi, who is out due to injury. Josi's absence hinders Nashville's already struggling defense, ranked 30th overall in scoring this season. This aligns favorably for the Jets, who maintain their reputation for powerful offense and sharp defense. Goals from the likes of Connor, Scheifele, and Nino Niederreiter could exploit the cracks likely to present themselves without Josi on the ice.
The Jets enter Music City filled with optimism, yet pushed by the awareness of the challenges posed by playing on the road against division rivals. Their historical struggles against Nashville maintain caution, particularly due to Nashville's notable home record against the Jets, previously standing at 19-9-2. Coach Arniel showcased his awareness of the road team's challenges; he may remind his players of past performances before their face-off.
Anticipation builds as fans await the puck drop at 7 PM CST, taking time to acknowledge the rare chance for the Jets to extend their record and secure their position atop the standings. After the game, fans can turn to illegalcurve.com for post-game analysis, with reports guiding them through strategies and potential adjustments for the upcoming games. The upcoming game will not just conclude February but lay the groundwork for March as the Jets aim to continue this roaring success, maintaining the depth and discipline required to achieve their goals for the rest of the season and beyond.