The Winnipeg Jets hope to continue their early-season dominance when they put their five-game winning streak on the line in a home clash with the Seattle Kraken on Thursday night.
The Jets’ recent success is largely due to forward Mark Scheifele’s performance, who, during his current five-game goal streak, took sole possession of the franchise’s all-time point-scoring lead with 814 career points (343 goals, 471 assists).
Scheifele scored the game-winner with less than five minutes remaining in Winnipeg’s latest 2-1 victory against the Calgary Flames on Monday, marking his seventh goal over the past five games.
Scheifele didn’t grab all the headlines, though, as teammate Jonathan Toews tallied the Jets’ opening goal, his first time finding the back of the net in over 900 days.
“I just kept telling myself to be ready for that one chance, and we were talking on the power play, obviously it wasn’t going our way in the second,” Toews said following the victory. “When we got our chance in the third, it was nice to just get a stick on it, and sometimes those go in, sometimes they don’t. So it’s nice to get that first one, and start to build some confidence in the offensive zone.”
A three-time Stanley Cup champion with the Chicago Blackhawks, the 37-year-old veteran took a lengthy absence from professional hockey to focus on his health before signing with his hometown Jets this summer.
Reigning Hart Memorial Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck has been steady as ever in the crease for Winnipeg, allowing two or fewer goals in each of his five starts, while star forward Kyle Connor has points in all six games to kickstart the campaign (three goals, six assists).
The Jets carry all the momentum going into Thursday’s meeting and have recent history on their side, taking each of the previous five meetings with Seattle and eight of the last 10.
The Kraken have had a tough start to their season, and they will face a demanding final game to their six-game road trip on Thursday.
Seattle has limped to a 1-2-2 record across the first five games of the road swing, most recently falling 4-1 to the Washington Capitals on Tuesday.
Jaden Schwartz scored Seattle’s lone goal, and free-agent signing Matt Murray allowed three goals on 33 shots in his first start between the pipes for the Kraken.
Seattle has experienced some notable absences early on, with forwards Jared McCann and Mason Marchment both day-to-day due to lower-body injuries, while defenseman Brandon Montour is on a temporary leave to handle a family matter.
Starting for the first time since December 28, 2024, Murray was quick to compliment the effort he saw from his short-handed squad following Tuesday’s tilt.
“I love the way our guys battled up there and we defended hard, and for a team going through a lot of adversity right now, I loved our compete level, so there’s some positives to build on,” Murray said.
Effort has only gotten the Kraken so far, as they have struggled to keep the puck out of their net during their current road swing, allowing three or more goals in all five contests.
–Field Level Media
