The Jets are finally heading home, and not a moment too soon.
After wrapping up a four-game road trip, Winnipeg returns to Manitoba with 5 of a possible 8 points in their pocket-a respectable haul, all things considered. The finale in Dallas, though, was a heartbreaker.
A 4-3 overtime loss to the Stars marked the third straight one-goal defeat to that club, but it was anything but dull. If you stayed up for it, you were treated to a high-tempo, back-and-forth game that had a little bit of everything.
Second Line Stepping Up
One of the biggest bright spots for Winnipeg lately? The second line.
Gabe Vilardi and Cole Perfetti were buzzing in Dallas, and their chemistry is becoming hard to ignore. Early in the second period, the duo connected on two goals just 92 seconds apart, swinging the momentum firmly in the Jets’ direction.
Add Adam Lowry to the mix, and you’ve got a line that’s not only producing but also tilting the ice in their favor. In the last two games, that trio has generated five scoring chances while only giving up three.
Vilardi, in particular, continues to be a catalyst no matter where he slots in. On this road swing alone, he chipped in two goals and three assists across four games. He’s showing that he can elevate the play of those around him, and if the Jets decide to hold onto Perfetti beyond the trade deadline, there’s real potential for that partnership to grow into something special heading into next season.
Iafallo Does It All
The Jets found themselves in a dangerous spot midway through the second period. Already down a man after Luke Schenn took an interference penalty, Morgan Barron joined him in the box for tripping Jason Robertson. That gave Dallas a 5-on-3 power play for more than a minute-on the road, against a team that thrives on the man advantage, that’s usually a death sentence.
But Alex Iafallo had other plans.
The veteran forward stepped up with a massive penalty-killing shift. He cleared the puck and drew two Stars defenders out of the zone with him, buying his team valuable time.
Then, just when you thought he’d be gassed, he hustled back into the defensive zone and laid out to block a shot. That’s the kind of effort that doesn’t show up on the scoresheet but earns respect in the locker room.
Iafallo’s offensive numbers have cooled-just one point in his last eight games-but head coach Scott Arniel has been leaning on him in all kinds of roles. First line, second line, fourth line, penalty kill-wherever the Jets need a spark or some steady two-way play, Iafallo has answered the call.
Scoreboard Watching... for the Draft
Let’s be honest-Jets fans aren’t scoreboard watching for playoff implications anymore. With the team sitting 28th in the league, the focus has shifted to draft lottery positioning. That’s the reality of where things stand right now.
The Nashville Predators picked up points and are starting to separate themselves from the league’s bottom six. Meanwhile, the Blackhawks jumped past Winnipeg with a win, nudging the Jets a little closer to the basement. A bottom-two finish is looking less likely, but if Winnipeg can stay in that bottom five mix, they’ll at least have a shot at landing a top prospect come June.
What’s Next
The Jets are back at Canada Life Centre on Wednesday night to face the Montreal Canadiens. After that, it’s a three-week break-a much-needed reset for a team that’s been grinding through a tough stretch.
There’s still plenty of hockey left, but for now, the focus is shifting. The trade deadline looms, the draft is inching closer, and the Jets are in evaluation mode. But if this road trip showed us anything, it’s that there are pieces worth watching-Vilardi, Perfetti, Iafallo-and maybe, just maybe, the foundation for something stronger next season.