The NHL playoffs of 2023 have been nothing short of exciting and unpredictable, with seven series still in the balance even after two weeks of action. In fact, this is only the fifth time in history that seven or more series have required six or more games to decide. The league has witnessed some nail-biting games between Friday and Monday, with teams battling it out in elimination games. Surprisingly, road teams have been performing exceptionally well in these playoffs, with 25 road wins out of 40 games, the most ever in a single NHL postseason. This is a testament to the parity in the league, which has led to high-quality performances from the teams.
The Vegas Golden Knights are the only team that has advanced to the second round, while the Winnipeg Jets have been eliminated. Toronto and Boston failed to secure victories against Tampa Bay and Florida, respectively, and the Rangers are struggling after initially leading in their series against the Devils. One notable aspect of these playoffs has been the outstanding performances of some unheralded goaltenders. Akira Schmid, Laurent Brossoit, Antti Raanta, Philipp Grubauer, and Ilya Samsonov are five of the seven goaltenders with three playoff wins this postseason. This goes to show that goaltending can be a voodoo position, and predicting its impact is never straightforward.
For the Jets, the playoffs have raised serious questions about the direction the team needs to take going forward. The sellouts that were once a fixture are now few and far between, which adds a financial dimension to the decision-making process. Additionally, the Canadian market, which Winnipeg operates within, presents several obstacles, such as players including most Canadian teams on their no-trade lists as they control their destinies later in their careers. However, the Jets’ management will need to focus on building a team that their fans can get excited about again to overcome these challenges.
Though it may be tempting for fans and reporters alike to press for a trade of every player, executing this strategy is never easy, and genuine value may not always be obtainable. Therefore, it is essential for the management to have a comprehensive plan while making changes to the existing team. While the rebuilding process could be painful and slow, it is necessary for the Jets to develop a team that their fans can love and support like before.
