The Winnipeg Jets responded in the best possible way on Friday night, with a focused effort from the entire team a 5-3 home win about the Calgary Flames reaffirming their identity and setting the tone for what the rest of this season could look like. Here are four key insights from the locker room, the bench and the ice.
Momentum regained – and grabbing early is important
Last night the Jets came out with a renewed sense of urgency and tight structure, a refusal to let a rough outing linger. They had been defeated 3-0 the night before and the message in the dressing room was clear: bounce back better. As head coach Scott Arniel put it before the game: “We had a lot of chances to score goals… I know there were probably seven or eight good chances where the goalkeeper made the stop or we just missed. That’s how it goes with bouncing.”
That feeling of calm and focus immediately translated into action. After conceding early, Winnipeg didn’t panic, tightening up defensively, trusting their structure and relying on simple, direct plays to regain momentum. The Jets began generating pressure through quick transitions and a heavier presence at the net, which paid off in a dominant second period. At that point, they changed the rhythm of the game, forcing Calgary to chase from behind. It was the kind of controlled response that separated confident teams from vulnerable ones, proving that the Jets can bounce back quickly if they stick to their identity.
Special teams took care of the play
In a game that wavered and saw momentum shifts, the Jets’ special teams provided stability – and firepower. The pivotal moment came when Winnipeg converted the power play in the second period to extend the lead and put the Flames in a deeper hole. In those moments, execution matters, and Winnipeg delivered.
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Head coach Scott Arniel summed it up succinctly: “I really liked our second (period), we got stronger,” Arniel said. “We knew when we played last night that Calgary was really going to come at us earlier. I thought we got through that. We gave up one, but we still played a really solid game and kind of got our game going and built on some of the things that happened. The 4-on-4 goal, then the power play goal, [Jonathan Toews’] face-off goal, there was a lot of good things that started to build and spread us from them.
On the penalty kill side, Winnipeg bent but didn’t break. Calgary was under pressure, but the Jets responded and remained calm. When your power play and penalty kill both deliver in key stretches, you give yourself a big chance – and Winnipeg did just that.
Depth came to the fore, big time
One of the most encouraging developments for the Jets early in the season has been the quantity and quality of contributions from the entire lineup – not just the top line or the power play, but every guy in the lineup doing his job. Last night was no different. Everyone from deep to the second defensive pair made plays, secured possession, supported the puck and generated chances. Coach Arniel noted the importance of playing with structure, regardless of personnel – and that message has stuck.
At the back, the Jets got timely breaks, smart measurements and blocked shots when needed. If a squad can win matches not just because of its stars, but also because its structure is ubiquitous, that is a sustainable model. Depth is not just an advantage; it will be a necessity in the upcoming race.
The victory counts, but the process counts more
Yes, the scoreboard says 5-3, and getting the two points is important. But the Jets also know this: one good night doesn’t write your season. They left the ice knowing that reality, and that’s a sign of maturity. In his post-match comments, Coach Arniel echoed this work ethic from Josh Morrissey: “He was really good again tonight,” Arniel said about Morrissey. “He played a ton of minutes (26:13) in back-to-back games, but he loves that.”
There were still moments in the third period when Calgary pushed and Winnipeg allowed quality chances. The Jets know they can’t allow those bursts of pressure to become a habit. If they want to separate themselves, games like this need to be clean from start to finish.
The message in the locker room is consistent: celebrate the win, yes – but don’t stand still. The schedule doesn’t pause, teams don’t let you rest, and consistency is the only real way forward. For this group, performing with the right habits, shift after shift, is more important than one electric period or one big goal.
Bonus takeaway: faith is real
Besides tactics and statistics, there was something in the room last night that felt different: faith. The Jets came into this game coming off a shutout loss and knew they had to respond. What happened next was a group united behind a clear message: play hard, play smart, stick together. That’s not just a slogan – it showed up.
From defenders stepping into the rush, to forwards crashing the net, to the goalie remaining calm when the Flames threatened, this team looked responsible. Gabriel Vilardi’s reflection on being ready, Commentary by Neal Pionk about simplification in moments of pressure, Arniel’s praise of structure – it’s all true. When a dressing room is set up like this, you often see results follow.
Next steps
The Jets’ 5-3 win over the Flames was more than just a rebound; it was a statement of identity. Discipline, structure, opportunism and collective buy-in marked the evening. If Winnipeg can replicate this brand of hockey — plus a clean 10-minute finish to negate opposing pushes — then they’ll build wins for something bigger than standing stalemate.
Yes, these two points are important. But more importantly, stacking up night after night where this version of the team shows up. They have the squad, the system and now the proof that they can do it. The next challenge won’t wait, and neither will we.
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