Winnipeg’s Transformation from ‘Passengers’ to ‘Pilots’ Fuels Playoff Success
Last year, Nino Niederreiter candidly criticized the Winnipeg Jets for having too many ‘passengers’ on the team. Fast forward to this season, and the Jets have flipped the script, becoming a team with numerous ‘pilots’ taking control.
‘We need to have a full team going to be successful,’ said Niederreiter. ‘The team-first mentality and buying into our system…we did a lot better job of this year.’
A collective effort was on display in Tuesday’s Game 2, as the Jets aimed to take a commanding 2-0 lead in their opening-round series against the Colorado Avalanche. Winnipeg’s 7-6 victory in Game 1 at Canada Life Centre showcased their newfound resilience.
Winnipeg defenseman Brenden Dillon noted a noticeable shift in the team’s atmosphere this season. ‘It’s just a way better, more positive feeling than last year,’ he said.
After breaking a six-game losing streak late in the regular season, the Jets surged with eight consecutive wins to finish their campaign. The players remained focused on their goal, as Dillon explained, ‘We know how good of a team we are. We’ve been here before. We’ve got to be mature about this and stop it before it snowballs.’
Niederreiter acknowledged the team’s room for improvement despite their Game 1 victory, saying, ‘The mood is definitely very great in the room, but we all know we’ve got to be so much better than we were in Game 1.’
Meanwhile, Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog, still recovering from knee surgery, remains a valuable presence for the team. ‘He’s such a great person, great leader,’ said Colorado forward Nathan MacKinnon. ‘He’s definitely giving us good insight. He’s kind of like a coach right now.’
MacKinnon acknowledged that while the current Avalanche team may not match the heights of their 2022 Stanley Cup-winning squad, they possess the talent and determination to succeed. ‘We’re still good enough to win in this room,’ he said.
The Jets’ newfound unity and determination have propelled them to the brink of a 2-0 lead in their playoff series. As they prepare for Game 2, they remain focused on building on their strengths and demonstrating their growth as a team.
