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Winnipeg off to record start
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Winnipeg off to record start

The Winnipeg Jets have had one of the most unexpected starts to the 2024-25 NHL season. The Jets are the last undefeated team in the league at 8-0-0, but there’s more to it than just a perfect start.

A season-opening winning streak is associated with Jets franchise and NHL records.

One of the most remarkable records comes from behind the bench and their new head coach Scott Arniel. With a perfect start now reaching eight wins, Arniel became the first coach in NHL history to post an 8-0-0 record to begin his tenure with a new team.

Arniel surpassed Bruce Boudreau, Geoff Ward and Jacques Lemaire who all had seven wins to start their tenure.

Not only is the winning streak big for Arniel, it’s huge for the Jets as a whole. Eight games is the longest winning streak in Jets franchise history. This includes their time as the Atlanta Thrashers between 1999 and 2011.

The Jets’ most recent victory was their fourth straight victory and sixth of the year. This places the Jets as just the third NHL team to complete six comebacks through the first eight games of the season.

If the Jets can continue their winning streak to start the year, they can make even more NHL history. The longest early-season winning streak dates back to 10 games against the Buffalo Sabers in 2006-07 and the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1993-94.

The next two Jets face off the Maple Leafs and the Detroit Red Wings. Victories against these two opponents will tie them for the all-time record. The possible record game will take place against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Each of the Maple Leafs, Red Wings and Blue Jackets are beatable teams in the eyes of the Jets.

The Jets were led by four different players with 10 points. Mark Scheifele (5G-5A), Kyle Connor (6G-4A), Neal Pionk (1G-9A) and Nikolaj Ehlers (4G-6A) all have 10 points in the first eight games played.

Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck also has a perfect 6-0-0 record with a .940 save percentage and a 1.66 goals-against average.

There is still a lot of season left to play, but Jets start hot and I hope to continue this momentum all year long.

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