GM #15: Winnipeg Jets @ Anaheim Ducks
The Winnipeg Jets have faced challenges on their west coast road trip, losing their first two games to the LA Kings and San Jose Sharks while managing to score only one goal. As a result, their record now stands at 9-5-0 for the start of the 2025–26 NHL season.
Head coach Scott Arniel has been dealing with injuries since the beginning of the campaign, which has disrupted the team’s rhythm. The Jets have not matched their dominant form from last year’s President’s Trophy run. Although the current record isn’t disastrous—18 points compared to 26 at the same point last season—it still reflects a noticeable dip in performance.
Digging into the numbers, the underlying metrics offer limited optimism, particularly in 5-on-5 play, an important indicator of playoff potential. The following comparison highlights the differences between this season and the previous one.
Goals For Comparison
- Winnipeg has dropped six places in overall rankings.
- They are projected to score six fewer even-strength goals than last year: 164 versus 170.
- Their Goals For per Game metric remains nearly unchanged.
“Despite dropping six spots in the rankings, Winnipeg’s 5-on-5 scoring pace is only slightly below last season’s total.”
Summary
While not alarmingly poor, the Jets’ early-season performance reveals issues beneath the surface—particularly in even-strength play—that could impact their long-term success.
Author’s summary: Winnipeg’s slow start and shaky 5-on-5 play hint at deeper consistency problems that may test the team’s playoff ambitions later in the season.