The Winnipeg Jets are top ten in the penalty kill and currently tied for first in powerplay percentage, but they need some help getting in the right situations.
The Winnipeg Jets were always going to be powerplay specialists. Even with just Patrik Laine (9PPG) and Blake Wheeler (14 PP assists).
But they also have Kyle Connor (5PPG, 3PPA) and Dustin Byfuglien (11PPP) and Mark Scheifele (10 PPP). That’s impressive. Who do you stop?
Even if you manage to avoid those five, there’s Josh Morrissey and Jacob Trouba capable of running point better than most. No wonder they’re tied with the league lead in PP% at 30.4%.
Only problem with that is the fact that they’re still just tied for third with Florida and Boston in powerplay goals. They’re three behind Colorado (Who they’re tied with in %) and Tampa. They’re behind a game in the schedule to Anaheim and Boston, one ahead of Florida and two behind Tampa.
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That’s good, but they need to force the issue and draw more penalties. They’re 27th in the league in powerplay opportunities. This team possesses too much speed, skill and power to be cruising by, not drawing penalties.
Now, they’re middle of the pack, 16th, in actual powerplays defended. Again, that’s affected by the games behind they are, but also the fact that they’ve taken a lot of majors. They’re tied for second in the league in majors with 7, behind the Rangers and equal to Boston.
The Winnipeg Jets are third in total penalties and second in total penalty minutes. That’s not great, guys. Connor Hellebuyck is not helped by all these penalties, and he could use a hand right now.
They lead the league in penalty minutes per game, at 12.7, and their differential in their penalty minutes against those committed against them is dead last in the NHL at 41, even though they’re somehow third in opponent penalty minutes per game.
Point is, the Winnipeg Jets could be doing a better job with special teams. They’re pretty good once they get there, but it would be nice to stay out of the box a bit.
The drawing penalties will come. I’m not saying they’ll be first in the league, but they’ll be fine. I’m more worried about watching dudes walk into the box night in and night out with Winnipeg.
It’s getting old. And it’s hurting the team. And if they’re trying to escape that B-tier, they might want to shore up some of these discipline issues. Starts with you, Paul Maurice.