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Jets Secure Presidents’ Trophy Amidst Playoff Aspirations
Dylan DeMelo is focused on more than just the Presidents’ Trophy as the Winnipeg Jets celebrate clinching their first-ever title for the most points in the NHL regular season. This prestigious achievement came despite a 4-1 defeat to the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday, underscoring the importance of what lies ahead in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
With this accolade, the Jets will enjoy home-ice advantage throughout the entirety of the playoffs, a significant boon for their quest for postseason success. The last Canadian team to win the Presidents’ Trophy was the Vancouver Canucks, who had a remarkable run in the 2011-12 season after also winning it the prior year.
When asked if he felt a sense of pride in breaking this Canadian drought, DeMelo replied candidly, “No, not really, to be honest. I think we want to be the first Canadian team since ’93 to win the Cup. That’s what we’re here for.”
The Montreal Canadiens were the last team to lift the Stanley Cup, doing so in the 1992-93 season. DeMelo emphasized that while securing home-ice advantage is beneficial, the focus remains on the ultimate goal. “It’s not the trophy we are after, but it’s a nice accomplishment,” he noted following the announcement of their Presidents’ Trophy victory.
The Jets clinched the title after Washington’s loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets that evening, rendering the Capitals unable to surpass the Jets’ points total. Winnipeg finished the regular season with 114 points (55-21-4), in contrast to Washington’s 109 points (50-21-9), with just one game remaining against the Anaheim Ducks.
Upon the announcement of their Presidents’ Trophy win, a crowd of 15,225 fans at Canada Life Centre erupted in applause, marking the Jets’ seventh consecutive sell-out and their 15th of the season. Forward Nino Niederreiter expressed the team’s mixed emotions, stating, “It is definitely a great accomplishment…but it is only the first step as now it is the playoffs that matter most.”
The Jets await to learn their first-round playoff opponent, with the Oilers set to face the Los Angeles Kings in their opening matchup. In the recent game, Edmonton showcased a strong performance with goals from Connor Brown, Adam Henrique, Corey Perry, and Viktor Arvidsson. Connor McDavid contributed with two assists.
Stuart Skinner, the Oilers’ goaltender, made 17 saves, helping his team clinch their third consecutive victory. Meanwhile, Winnipeg’s netminder Eric Comrie recorded 35 saves, though the match ended their own four-game home winning streak.
This season marks a significant milestone for the Jets, as they secured the top position in both the Western Conference and the Central Division for the first time in franchise history. Coach Scott Arniel confirmed that reaching these benchmarks was part of their objectives, albeit the Presidents’ Trophy was not a primary goal. He remarked, “At the end of the day, it’s a heck of an accomplishment. Guys should be real proud of it.”
Reflecting on the game itself, Brown opened the scoring just 59 seconds into the second period with a backhand goal, further helping his team maintain momentum despite the Jets’ efforts. Subsequently, Iafallo, Henrique, Perry, and Arvidsson added to the Oilers’ tally, solidifying their victory.
Despite the defeat, Winnipeg remains focused and optimistic for the upcoming playoffs, understanding that while they have achieved significant milestones, the pursuit of the Stanley Cup remains their top priority.
Source
globalnews.ca