Winnipeg Jets’ scoring diversity has kept the team on top of the NHL
Through six games of the 2024-25 NHL season, the Winnipeg Jets are 6-0-0 and sit atop the league’s standings. Thanks in large part to a powerful, yet diverse scoring prowess.
Jets’ forwards Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor lead the team with five goals a piece, meanwhile Nik Ehlers has eight points through six games. Winnipeg has also seen impressive production out of Cole Perfetti, who has seven points on the young season, along with receiving significant offense from two defensemen, with Josh Morrissey and Neal Pionk chipping in with seven points each from the back end.
It’s all systems go for the high-flying Jets, who are second to only the New York Rangers, averaging 4.50 goals for per game. This type of goal-scoring pace will be hard to sustain, however, Winnipeg will be looking to ride it as long as possible, to build themselves a cushion in the Central Division.
On today’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Tyler Yaremchuk and Frank Seravalli welcomed Jon Goyens for the latest Coaches Room segment, and discussed the Jets’ high-powered offense, and how the team is getting contributions from just about everyone to start the year.
Yaremchuk: Jon, always a pleasure to welcome you in, and we’re going to stay in Canada for this edition of the Coaches Room, and talk about the NHL’s last remaining perfect team, the Winnipeg Jets. They got another win last night, they are 6-0-0, and one thing that stands out is the goals for per game. I was someone who before the season, was wondering if their forward group has enough juice this year. Are they going to be able to score enough? Early on, that’s happening, what’s driving it?
Goyens: Well, there’s a couple of things driving it. They have 12 players that have played every single game, that are at half-a-point per game or better. The only team that I have found, with more players, with half-a-point per game, that have played every game, is the New York Rangers with 13. So, you have depth at scoring without (Gabriel) Vilardi, or (Alex) Iafallo who haven’t scored a goal yet. But, are producing on the power play, getting their assists.
The other point that I really want to emphasize, is (Josh) Morrissey and Neal Pionk. Because of Pionk, in my opinion, their second power-play unit, has scored as many goals as their first power-play unit. So, whether it be at 5-on-5, or on the power play, they right now, are so diversified in depth, but also how they score.
Seravalli: So, let’s talk about that power play and let’s roll some clips, because I look at it, and I go – this is one that really struggled last year. They were 22nd in the league, they were a touch better when Sean Monahan got there, but even that was only kind of a blip. What have you seen aside from the depth, that has made them much better with the man advantage, so far to start this year?
Goyens: The man advantage has been about a lot of quick strikes. You know a lot of teams, they get in, they set up, and it’s very obvious that it’s either a 1-3-1 or they over handle the puck. And, they try to set up this, or set up that player, or set up this play. The Jets are quick to strike off of possession, whether it be on an entry, whether it be on a loose-puck recovery, whether it be on a takeaway. They aren’t looking necessarily to get to their spots…They find ways to have that variety, regardless if it’s their first power play, or second power play.
For more on the Jets scorching start, and the very latest from across the NHL, watch the full episode here.