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Putting the Winnipeg Jets 9-1-0 start into historical context

This team is off to a start we’ve never seen by an NHL franchise in Winnipeg.

The 2024-25 Jets have truly put the Win in Winnipeg this season getting off to the best start in franchise history. Head coach Scott Arniel told us ten days ago he doesn’t like to break the season into blocks of games because if you have a less than stellar start “what are you selling next” to the players? So he prefers to simply focus on the next game. Of course given how his team has come out of the gate he could probably change that philosophy.

Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)

Given the fact that Winnipeg improved to 9-1-0 after last night’s 6-2 defeat of the Wings I was curious how this start compared to prior ones we’ve seen in this city. While they do not award the Stanley Cup for what you do in the first month of the season it is interesting to put this excellent start into context against prior starts to the NHL season in Manitoba.

14 seasons in Winnipeg:
2024-25: 9-1-0
2023-24: 4-4-2
2022-23: 6-3-1
2021-22: 6-2-2
2020-21: 6-3-1
2019-20: 5-5-0
2018-19: 6-3-1
2017-18: 5-3-2
2016-17: 4-6-0
2015-16: 6-3-1
2014-15: 4-5-1
2013-14: 4-5-1
2012-13: 4-5-1
2011-12: 3-6-1

Getting 18 of a possible 20 points is a pretty decent accomplishment by Winnipeg says Captain Obvious. So when did other Jets teams get to win number nine on the season? The fastest prior to this team was the 2022-23 club which did it in 14 games. The longest it ever took a Jets team was back in year one when the 2011-12 group didn’t get to nine wins until game 22 of the season.

Getting to 9 wins:
2024-25: Game 10
2023-24: Game 16
2022-23: Game 14
2021-22: Game 15
2020-21: Game 15
2019-20: Game 17
2018-19: Game 15
2017-18: Game 16
2016-17: Game 18
2015-16: Game 20
2014-15: Game 17
2013-14: Game 20
2012-13: Game 19
2011-12: Game 22

While Jets fans have certainly enjoyed the start they are keenly aware that it’s not how you start but how you finish which will be of critical importance when evaluating the success of the 2024-25 season. But you have to get to the playoffs first in order to have a chance to win it all and this team’s start has given them a big boost as they battle to secure a spot in the post-season.