The Winnipeg Jets will be without Nikolaj Ehlers and Gabriel Vilardi to start the playoffs, and without two key offensive contributors and top power play unit participants, who does the pressure fall onto?
Ehlers and Vilardi are irreplaceable. Ehlers' speed is unmatched by any other player in the Jets organization, and the same can be said about Vilardi's net-front presence. Defeating a St. Louis Blues team that has improved defensively considerably since Jim Montgomery took over as head coach will be challenging, but not impossible.
The 2024-25 campaign saw Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor set career-highs in points and record their second-highest goal tally. The duo will need to be at their best to keep up with the likes of Robert Thomas, Jordan Kyrou, Pavel Buchnevich and Dylan Holloway if he can return.
Connor and Scheifele have been scrutinized for their past performances in the playoffs, but the pressure this year is different, with a greater need for them to step up.
"You have to first learn how to lose before you get to learn how to win,” said Scheifele following Friday's practice.
At times, the pair can struggle to drive play, something Ehlers excels at. Connor and Scheifele are more reliant on quality chances and excellent finishing than they are on the quantity of chances they generate. Some may argue that Scheifele was held off of Team Canada's 4 Nations roster because of that, and for Connor, it was why he was scratched for the gold medal game.
Ehlers and Vilardi also play vital roles on the power play, something that could once again hamper some of the offence Scheifele and Connor create. Overcoming it will again be a difficult task, but something that is mandatory and something Connor believes they will do.
"You’ve seen throughout the big games down the stretch that this team shows up," said Connor. "There’s no question that it’s going to be that way. The way we’ve prepared, I don’t think that’s going to change in the playoffs. It’s going to just elevate us."
Game 1 is tonight at the Canada Life Centre, and while a singular game can't tell the entire picture of what a series will be, it can outline what could recur. A strong start from the duo is needed for the Jets, but also for their own confidence.
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