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Jets Top Players Struggling In Dire Playoff Push

March 21, 2023, 6:05 PM ET [57 Comments]
Jacob Billington
Winnipeg Jets Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The Winnipeg Jets have started to fall down the standings and are currently sit in the second wild-card position in the Western Conference with a four point gap ahead of the Calgary Flames.

The Jets have a 7-10-2 record since the All-Star break, and during this stretch their top players have been struggling and it is having a significant impact on the roster.

Stats Since All-Star Break (19 Games)

Kyle Connor: 3G-11A-14P
Mark Scheifele: 7G-7A-14P
Pierre-Luc Dubois (11GP): 2G-2A-4P
Blake Wheeler: 3G-10A-13P
Nikolaj Ehlers: 4G-8A-14P

In a vacuum, these stats are not horrible, outside of Dubois' sturggles. 14 points in 19 games is still decent production, but considering the fact that they have been heavily reliant on their top scorers this season, they have not been doing the things they need to be doing.

Connor Hellebuyck has struggled in March as well, currently sporting an .888 save percentage over the eight games played this month.

When all of the biggest factors you have been counting on for your success have been playing below their expected rate, the team doesn't have the fight in them. The additions of Nino Neiderreiter and Vlad Namestnikov have been playing off well, but the Jets' depth is still not enough to catch up to a slower-producing top end.

The Jets' schedule for the remainder of the season is fairly easy. Of their 11 remaining games, four of their opponents are bottom-seven teams in the league, and only four games are against teams that are currently in a playoff spot.

The Jets' four-point cushion for a playoff spot is fairly comfortable for the moment, but another tough loss or two and the Flames will be right up against the Jets. Nashville has three games in hand on the Jets, and currently sit five points behind. Despite selling at the deadline, they are still a team to look out for.

The upcoming games against Arizona, Anaheim and the pair against San Jose are must-win games for the Jets to really lock in their playoff chances. After starting the season as one of the best teams, this downhill spiral has been detrimental to their chances, but there is still a strong possibility of them making the playoffs.
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