During Saturday’s NHL game in Calgary, Dylan Samberg of the Winnipeg Jets scored a goal in the third period and celebrated with teammate Nino Niederreiter. The Jets were playing against the Calgary Flames, adding excitement to the late-game action. (Photo: Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press)
The Winnipeg Jets are on a roll, setting a franchise record for consecutive wins to start a season. They now have a shot to tie a historic nine-game winning streak, dating back to the 1984-85 season, with another victory in their upcoming prime-time showdown against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Jets forward Alex Iafallo credits the team’s winning streak to their dedication and disciplined play in every zone, noting, "We’re just trying to play the right way. Everyone’s contributing, and it’s showing in our results." With a determined mindset, the Jets are not just focused on individual skill but on team cohesion, a strategy that’s kept them undefeated.
The Leafs, meanwhile, have struggled, dropping four of their last five games and enduring a three-game losing streak. Despite Toronto’s rocky start, the Jets are fully aware of the Leafs’ potential to turn things around, especially with their passionate fanbase travelling to cheer them on. Jets defenseman Dylan DeMelo acknowledged that playing against a Canadian rival like the Leafs brings excitement and intensity, adding, “It’s going to be a battle.”
The Jets are currently the NHL’s last undefeated team, which means they’re also a target. Teams are eager to break Winnipeg’s streak, making each game a fresh challenge. Iafallo and DeMelo have emphasized the importance of sticking to the team’s game plan rather than getting caught up in opponents' tactics. "We just talk about it before each game: play the right way and everyone doing their part," Iafallo shared.
For DeMelo, confidence is key, even when faced with unpredictable games. He explained that the Jets previously struggled against Toronto by shifting away from their core play style. Learning from these encounters, the team is now laser-focused on sticking to their strengths and staying composed.
Head Coach Scott Arniel has also weighed in, emphasizing that each game early in the season carries playoff intensity. "You have to go out there and take it from teams," he noted. Arniel praised his team’s dedication to playing hard from the opening shift to the final buzzer. The Jets have often had to mount comebacks, conceding the first goal in six of their eight games, but Arniel insists they’re prepared for the long haul. “We talk about playing a full 60 or 65 minutes – whatever it takes,” he added.
With a chance to tie a piece of Winnipeg hockey history, the Jets are fired up and ready to face Toronto at 6:30 p.m. Monday. Fans are hopeful that this game will be another chapter in the Jets’ remarkable season-opening run.
