4 takeaways from the Jets’ 5-3 win over the Flames – The Hockey Writers – Winnipeg Jets
The Winnipeg Jets responded in the best way possible on Friday night – with a focused team effort and a 5-3 home win over the Calgary Flames that once again reaffirmed their identity and set the tone for the rest of the season. Here are four key takeaways from the locker room, bench and rink.
Momentum regained – early snaps are important
Last night, the Jets came with a new sense of urgency and tight structure, refusing to let a tough outing continue. They had been beaten 3-0 the night before, and the message in the locker room was clear: Bounce back better. As head coach Scott Arniel said before the game: “We had a lot of chances to score… I know there were probably seven or eight quality goals, but the goalie stopped it, or we missed it. That’s what happened on the bounce.”
This feeling of calm and focus translates directly into action. After conceding an early goal, Winnipeg didn’t panic – they stepped up defensively, trusted their structure, and relied on simple, direct play to regain momentum. The Jets began to generate pressure with quick transitions and a heavier front-net presence, which paid off in a dominant second quarter. That’s when they turned the flow of the game around, forcing Calgary to play from behind. It’s this kind of composed reaction that separates confident teams from vulnerable ones, proving that the Jets can bounce back quickly when they stick to their identity.
Special Forces save the day
The Jets’ special teams provided stability and firepower in a game that was swinging and shifting in momentum. The key moment came when Winnipeg switched offense in the second quarter, extending its lead and dragging the Flames deeper into trouble. In those moments, execution counts, and Winnipeg delivered.
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Head coach Scott Arniel put it succinctly: “I really liked our second (period), we got stronger,” Arniel said. “We knew, in our game last night, that Calgary was really going to come at us early. I thought we withstood that. We lost one, but we still played a really solid game and kept our game going and set up some things that happened. The 4-on-4 goal and then the power-play goal, [Jonathan Toews’] There were a lot of good things starting to build up in the faceoff goal and spread us out of it. “
In the penalty shootout, Winnipeg buckled, but didn’t collapse. Calgary faced some pressure, but the Jets responded and kept their cool. When your power play and penalty kill both come into play down the stretch, you give yourself a great opportunity — and that’s exactly what Winnipeg did.
Depth appears, unprecedented grand occasion
One of the most encouraging developments for the Jets early in the season is the quantity and quality of contributions from the entire roster — not just the top line or the power play, but everyone on the roster doing their job. Last night was no exception. From the depth forwards to the secondary defensemen, everyone steps up, handles the puck, supports the puck, and creates chances. Coach Anil pointed out the importance of maintaining structure regardless of personnel – and that message is lasting.
On the back end, the Jets got timely breaks, smart reads and blocked shots when necessary. When a team is able to win games not just because of its star players, but because of the structure that prevails, that’s a sustainable model. Depth becomes more than an advantage—it becomes a necessity for future games.
Victory is important – but the process is more important
Yes, the scoreboard read 5-3 and it was important to get two points. But the Jets also know this: One good night doesn’t write your season. They made Bing aware of this reality, which is a sign of maturity. In his postgame remarks, Coach Anil reiterated this work ethic of Josh Morrissey: “He was outstanding again tonight,” Anil said of Morrissey. “He played a long time in back-to-back games (26 minutes and 13 seconds), but he loved it.”
Calgary still had some moments in the third quarter, and Winnipeg also created some quality opportunities. The Jets know they can’t let that pressure become a habit. If they want to separate, a game like this needs to be clean from start to finish.
The message in the locker room was consistent: Celebrate the win, yes — but don’t dwell on it. The schedule doesn’t pause, the team doesn’t give you a break, and consistency is the only real way forward. For this group, performance after a shift with the right habits is more important than a power period or a big goal.
Bonus: Beliefs are real
Beyond the tactics and numbers, there was something else in the room that felt different last night: belief. The Jets come into this game coming off a tough loss and know they have to respond. What happened next was a group of people united by a clear message: Play hard, play smart, and stay together. This isn’t just a slogan – it’s already here.
From the defensemen rushing to the front line, to the forwards bursting through the net, to the goalies keeping their cool when the Flames threatened – this team looked responsible. Gabriel Vilardi’s reflections on being prepared, Neal Pionk’s comments on simplifying moments of pressure, Anil’s praise of structure – it all adds up. When locker rooms line up like this, you often see the results.
Next step
The Jets’ 5-3 victory over the Flames was more than just a rebound, it was a victory. It’s a statement of identity. Discipline, structure, opportunism and collective support were the hallmarks of the night. If Winnipeg can replicate that style of hockey – coupled with a clean final 10 minutes to neutralize the push from their opponents – then they will win something more important than standing still.
Yes, these two points are important. But more importantly: This version of the team shows up night after night. They have the roster, they have the system, and now there is evidence that they can do it. The next challenge doesn’t wait, and neither do we.
