WINNIPEG — Three games into the 2026-27 NHL season, the Winnipeg Jets remain nearly perfect, collecting five of a possible six points.
The Jets (2-0-1) have tuned out the distraction caused by Connor Hellebuyck's trade holdout, taking the Boston Bruins to overtime before earning one-goal victories over the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins.
Under head coach Scott Arniel, the Jets have shown a consistent blueprint focused heavily on the defensive zone. A revamped crease has given the club a chance to win each night, special teams rank among the best in the league and depth scoring has been a welcome presence.
It's a small sample size, to be sure, and there will be ups and downs over an 84-game season, but the early signs are promising. Here are five takeaways from the Jets' opening week.
A dynamic duo brewing?
Goaltending was the biggest question mark facing the Jets after Hellebuyck's holdout. While the front office works for a resolution, management has to like what it's seen in the crease so far.
Stuart Skinner conceded a soft goal from distance in the season-opener against Boston, but stayed sharp, particularly in the third period, to salvage a point. Fans inside the building quickly embraced their new starter, serenading the 27-year-old with "Stuuu" chants even after routine stops. He repaid them with a stellar 34-save performance against Detroit to secure his first win in Winnipeg.
Clay Stevenson made an equally strong impression in his first taste of game action, stopping 29 shots in a victory against Pittsburgh. The rookie looked poised throughout, limiting a Penguins offence to two goals after it racked up 13 in their first two games.
It's a small sample size, but if Stevenson can turn his AHL success into consistent NHL work, Winnipeg might just have a future 1A-1B tandem. It's a strategy many good NHL teams follow, as it keeps both goalies fresh, but it requires consistency from both netminders.
Bjorck earning coach's trust
It shouldn't be concerning that Viggo Bjorck has yet to register his first NHL point. While the Jets will need the 18-year-old rookie to produce, there are enough green flags to suggest it's only a matter of time.
Bjorck was robbed in close by Jeremy Swayman against Boston and couldn't beat the post on a partial breakaway in Detroit. He's also created some high-danger chances for his linemates that simply haven't cashed in.
While his scoring touch will come, Bjorck's defensive game already seems ready for the NHL. There have been expected growing pains — including a costly turnover leading to Detroit's tying goal and a blind pass through the legs to no one — but his patience with the puck and knack for creating turnovers show a solid foundation.
Arniel clearly trusts him, giving Bjorck time on both the power play and penalty kill. He was also out to protect third-period leads against Boston and Detroit, and took a defensive-zone face-off in overtime versus the Bruins.
Arniel triggered the line-blender against Pittsburgh, swapping wingers Isak Rosén and Morgan Barron, which provided an instant boost to the line. Rosén generated scoring chances, but Barron's size and veteran presence gave the line an edge, and it will be worth watching if the new lines stick.
Special teams lead the way
Usually, you wouldn't put too much stock into special teams after three games. But given Winnipeg's stark drop-off last season compared to their President's Trophy campaign, both units were always going to be under the microscope.
Indeed, four power-play goals through nine periods is hard to ignore. While three were against a rebuilding Red Wings club, it's still a positive sign the Jets' new approach is working. During training camp, the Jets focused on being faster and more aggressive.
Kyle Connor already has three goals on the man-advatange, which is threatening the five he scored all last season. Cole Perfetti notched the other marker and has assists on all three of Connor's goals, while Gabriel Vilardi and Josh Morrissey each have two assists.
The penalty kill has been nearly perfect, killing off eight of the club's nine penalties. Adam Lowry and Morgan Barron remain the primary shutdown pair up front, but Winnipeg has also mixed in Connor and Bjorck to give the unit an offensive threat.
Finding secondary offence
The Jets know they can't expect their top line to carry the offence as much as they did last year. Earning a playoff spot will require secondary scoring from up and down the lineup.
So it was an encouraging sign to see the blue line get involved so early, with Dylan DeMelo and Mario Ferraro both hitting the twine against Boston. Arniel noted the importance of the defence pushing the play, especially against teams that can hurt you with their transition game.
Secondary scoring led directly to the win against Pittsburgh, sparked by an overhauled third line of Lowry, Rosén and Alex Iafallo. Promoted from the fourth line, Iafallo had an immediate impact, scoring to tie the game early in the third period before setting up Lowry to take a 2-1 lead.
Depth scoring has helped mask a slow start for Scheifele, who has yet to register a point. But there's no reason to be concerned over a player who eclipsed 100 points last season, especially since Scheifele has been constantly around the puck in all three games.
Bauer punching above his weight
Skinner might be garnering the most love from fans, but the loudest ovation this season has been reserved for rookie Tyrel Bauer.
Bauer dropped the gloves in his first two games against a pair of bona fide NHL heavyweights in Boston's Mark Kastelic and Detroit's Keegan Kolesar. He won both scraps handily, leaving Kastelic's jersey blood-stained and Kolesar tumbling to the ice after two hard lefts.
Fighting is a polarizing topic for some fans, but inside a locker room, it's the quickest way to endear yourself to a team. After the Boston game, Connor called Bauer a "phenomenal teammate," while Skinner emphatically claimed, "that's a guy you'd run through a train for."
Heading into the season, many questioned whether Bauer deserved a spot on the roster. However, despite averaging just seven minutes of ice time, the 24-year-old's place on the team seems firmly entrenched. The Jets will head into some intimidating buildings this season feeling comfortable with Bauer in tow, as he quickly establishes himself as one of the league's most feared fighters.
