LU: HOW THE WINNIPEG JETS TOOK FLIGHT

By: Braedyn Wozniak

We’re nearing Christmas, and it’s official. The Winnipeg Jets are back and perhaps better than ever.

John Lu reports for TSN Winnipeg and says this team is performing exceptionally well and that won’t be changing anytime soon, to the delight of Jets fans everywhere.

“Looking at social media, fans seem to be very happy,” said Lu before Winnipeg’s 5-2 win at St. Louis on Thursday. “Not just with the team’s position in the standings, but just the way that Rick Bowness has come in and helps enable a culture change for this club.”

The culture was the main reason the performance of this Jets team struggled to meet expectations the past few years, and missed the playoffs last season.

This year, the Jets are 17-7-1 and are tied with the Dallas Stars for first in the Central Division. The culture change is a large reason for the renewed success.“

When you talk to players, they seem to have a really good vibe, a real good sense of togetherness and cohesiveness in the room,” said Lu.

The Jets are playing well within the system Bowness has put in place, but Bowness has noticeably been extra hard on the group when they lose, and, even when they win.

“They really laid an egg at home versus Columbus, then two days later they had a very bad first period against the Anaheim Ducks,” said Lu. “Rick Bowness was ticked off after both of those games even though against Anaheim they came from behind and won quite handily.”

“Bowness said early on that when the club was struggling … is that they would revert to some of their habits from last year that were counterproductive. They’re trying to find their own brand of consistency with Rick Bowness system.”

So far, there haven’t been too many major instances where the team has slipped into their old habits. And now, they’ve raised the expectations for themselves. They are solidifying their place among the league’s true contenders.

“(The system) is still not second nature to them,” said Lu. “They expect themselves to be executing the system that’s laid in front of them and playing the way the coaching staff wants them to.”

A deep line-up of talented forwards and a good blend of defenceman, led by Norris Trophy candidate and true breakout player of the year Josh Morrissey has this team looking dangerous, especially when it’s combined with Vezina candidate Connor Hellebuyck.

When it’s all working for this team, the sky is the limit. Lu thinks the Jets can only get better as this season goes along.

“All the signs that are building within the locker room are translating into results on the ice. Consistency will come with time, but certainly the club is going in the right direction.”

(The Rod Pedersen Show airs daily on Game+ TV, YouTube Live and WQEE Radio)