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Winnipeg Jets: 2 Interesting Stats from the Jets Opening Road Trip

By Kieran Hurley |
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 16: Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck #37 of the Winnipeg Jets makes a save against the San Jose Sharks during the second period at SAP Center on October 16, 2021 in San Jose, California. The Sharks won the game 4-3. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 16: Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck #37 of the Winnipeg Jets makes a save against the San Jose Sharks during the second period at SAP Center on October 16, 2021 in San Jose, California. The Sharks won the game 4-3. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

The Winnipeg Jets have just completed their three-game road trip to start the 2021-2022 regular season. This trip was not the greatest for the Jets as they only picked up one of a possible six points available.

Winnipeg struggled against the Kings and Sharks, who are projected to finish near the bottom of the standings, and they failed to put the Minnesota Wild away after having a lead at four different points during the game.

When breaking down these three games from the Jets, two stats stand out and the Jets must address these two things in their upcoming games.

The Winnipeg Jets struggled both on the penalty kill and on faceoffs

Many of the Jets’ issues during this road trip stemmed from their penalty kill and faceoffs. Below we break them down further.

Penalty Kill

Through the first week of the season, only two teams have a worse penalty kill percentage than the Jets’ 53.3%. What is common about the Jets and the two teams below them? They all have yet to record a win in the new season.

The Jets have been on the kill 15 times this season and have allowed seven goals. Some of these goals have been given up at costly times including yesterday when Minnesota scored a third period powerplay goal that ignited their two-goal come back and then they scored another goal with the man advantage in overtime to win the game.

The Jets’ defense is going to play a physical style of play and in today’s day and age, penalties are going to happen. Throughout the season, special teams may at many times be the difference in winning and losing a game and that has shown during Winnipeg’s opening road trip.

Faceoffs

Another interesting stat is faceoffs. First, the Jets have a 44.2 faceoff win percentage, which is the fourth-lowest percentage in the NHL. Puck possession is key and the first way to obtain the puck is by winning the faceoff.

Next, there may be a direct relationship between faceoffs and the Jets’ penalty kill lack of success. Winnipeg only has a 31.8 faceoff win percentage on the penalty kill. This is then allowing their opposition with a man advantage, to have control of the puck right at the start of the powerplay in the Jets’ defensive zone.

Winning that initial faceoff on special teams is one of the keys to winning the special teams battle. On the kill, it allows you to clear the puck down the ice and makes the opposition have to retrieve it and come back down 200 feet to your defensive zone, which will waste valuable time. On the powerplay, winning the initial faceoff allows you to get right onto the attack and set up your powerplay which should lead to scoring opportunities.

The silver lining in these stats is that the Jets are only three games into an 82 game season. The NHL season is extremely long and there is no time to panic. Winnipeg has time to figure out these early season issues as they look to solidify their position as one of the top teams in the central division.

Winnipeg Jets Fans: After the Winnipeg Jets’ first road trip, what do you think is the biggest issue facing the Jets is? Leave your comments below

Next. Winnipeg Jets Lose 6-5 Thriller to Minnesota Wild in OT (Recap). dark

*All Stats Provided by the NHL*

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