The Winnipeg Jets did what they were expected to do, winning 6-0 and 6-1 against Anaheim and Columbus over the weekend.
Now the NHL Central Division leaders will have to prove their worth in the upcoming game.
On Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden, the Jets will try to secure only their second win against a playoff-calibre opponent since their 4-2 victory in Vancouver just over a month ago.
The Jets’ 10-2 record against the 12 non-playoff opponents they have faced in the last 16 games should not be disregarded. Taking advantage of these opportunities is essential for achieving a first-place finish, and there is no need for apologies.
Apart from a few errors on Sunday night in Columbus, particularly in a messy third period, the Jets broke their streak of eight consecutive games without back-to-back wins by playing “the right way” for the most part in the one-sided victories over the Ducks and Blue Jackets.
Hug thy goalie 🫂 pic.twitter.com/QlA5AzHapp
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) March 18, 2024
So the question now is: Will this game kick-start the required level of performance against a fellow division leader?
The Rangers are also in good form, winning five of their last six games as they strive to stay ahead of Carolina for first place in the Metro. However, they face challenges as top-four defensemen Jacob Trouba and Ryan Lindgren are both injured.
As the Jets have emphasized, their focus is solely on themselves, not the opposition. Their attention to this detail has been somewhat lacking in recent losses at Dallas and Vancouver, as well as last week's home game against Nashville.
So let's see what happens in Broadway, and just maybe, if the Jets succeed there, they can succeed anywhere.
