The Winnipeg Jets would forgive you if you left Mark Scheifele out of your top five of their players this season. Mark Scheifele on the other hand, seems to be taking it personally.
As you may recall, the Winnipeg Jets young center was ranked third in our power rankings heading into the season. In the regular season, however, I would have pegged Mark Scheifele somewhere around fifth or sixth, depending on how one feels about Kyle Connor‘s impressive rookie campagin.
Mark Scheifele did not like that, apparently. He scored four goals, out of a possible sixteen, in the opening series. It was good, it was impressive, it was necessary. Scheifele is clearly looking to topple Dustin Byfuglien from his top spot next week.
Yes, I realize that Mark Scheifele’s entire motivation is to get to the top of my power rankings. It’s petty, I know. “There’s a playoff series to win, Mark”, I told him earlier today. But he’s stubborn. Hey, if it gets the Jets to the Western Conference Finals, nobody will make a fuss.
Mark Scheifele scored two goals in the opening game in Nashville, including the empty-netter to seal the road win. In game two, Scheifele scored twice more, even adding an assist. That’s eight goals in seven playoff games. Scoring is supposed to be suppressed in the playoffs!
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The Winnipeg Jets have needed Mark Scheifele. His playoff surge has shown how good the depth of the team is. Worried about Dustin Byfuglien, Blake Wheeler and Patrik Laine? They’ll throw a Nikolaj Ehlers, Kyle Connor, Bryan Little or Mark Scheifele at you.
Nashville is seeing firsthand how important that depth can be. After losing game one at home, they needed two overtimes to best Winnipeg. Yes, it was a win, and they all count the same. And yes, it was the longest game in Winnipeg Jets history. But they can’t stop the Mark Scheifele Show.
Mark Scheifele is on pace for roughly 94 goals over the course of a full season. He scored just 23 this season, tied for fourth, although he was limited to sixty games due to injury.
It’s easy to forget that Scheifele is still only 24, and former seventh overall pick. On a roster littered with young talent, and old talent, he can fall through the cracks a bit. But he’s still improving. He still has room to grow.
Scheifele, Jacob Trouba and Connor Hellebuyck were all part of the North American 23-and-under team just two years back. These kids have talent! It’s easy to live and die with these playoffs, and we all will.
Next: Winnipeg Jets Take Game One
But even if they can’t hoist the Stanley Cup in a few weeks, the Winnipeg Jets have a bright future and a big window. Only, Mark Scheifele wants to bust through it this year.