COLUMBUS, Ohio – They're big, they're fast and they're young.

Those were the three pillars Paul Maurice focused on after taking over as head coach of the Winnipeg Jets on Jan. 12 of 2013.

And those three building blocks have allowed the Jets to forge an identity that allowed them to go into the NHL All-Star break with a record of 26-14-8, good for 60 points and a firm grip on the first wild-card berth in the Western Conference standings.

Both the St. Louis Blues and Chicago Blackhawks are only two points up on the Jets, while the first-place Nashville Predators remain within striking distance at 65 points.

It's no secret that the Jets' commitment to their defensive structure, excellent goaltending and a heightened and more consistent compete level are the biggest reasons for their outstanding start.

With that in mind, let's take a look at the grades for the position groups, coaching and management through 48 games of the season.

Goaltending (A-) - Without a doubt, this was the biggest question the Jets faced coming into the season but it quickly transformed from a potential area of weakness to a strength. Ondrej Pavelec's numbers have improved steadily (from a 3.01 goals against average and .901 save percentage last season to a 2.47 goals against average and .913 save percentage this season), while Michael Hutchinson has continued his meteoric rise and currently finds himself second in the NHL in goals against average (1.95) and save percentage (.935) among netminders with at least 20 appearances. Hutchinson was nearly added to participate in the NHL All-Star game, but Brian Elliott of the St. Louis Blues got the call to replace Sergei Bobrovsky of the Columbus Blue Jackets instead. The Jets are among the top teams in the NHL in goals against and improved goaltending is a big reason why. How the starts are distributed during the stretch drive will be a fascinating story to watch. But having two viable options is rarely a bad thing.

Defence (B+) - Ravaged by injuries and playing without four of their top blue-liners for a considerable chunk of the second quarter of the season, it's a minor miracle this group found a way to be as stingy as they were. Dustin Byfuglien gets a whole lot of credit for that, playing some of the best hockey of his career after moving back to the blue-line on a full-time basis on Dec. 5. In 22 games, Byfuglien had seven goals and 20 points while playing 24 minutes or more in 18 of them, often controlling the play while adding a more physical component to his game. Having Ben Chiarot come up from the minors and provide steady minutes alongside Byfuglien was critical as well. With the group closing in on full health, there's more depth on the back end than at any point since the Jets returned to the NHL.

Forwards (B) – The Jets are no longer a one-line hockey team, but there's little question that Bryan Little, Andrew Ladd and Blake Wheeler still drive the bus. Since the trio was reunited on Nov. 18, they've combined for 28 goals and 78 points in 29 games. Ladd is 25th in league scoring, but it's about the improved balance for this group, as six forwards have already hit double digits in goals (Little, Ladd, Wheeler, Mathieu Perreault, Michael Frolik and Evander Kane). The forwards play a physical game and have done a good job providing back pressure that has also played a role in the improved defensive-zone play.

Coaching (A) – Maurice has instilled a belief in the Jets that has allowed them to reach new heights. He's also handled his goalies very well and dealt with a rash of injuries to the blue-line that would have sunk most teams. One thing Maurice needs to do better during the stretch drive is find a way to get more minutes out of his fourth line. That group has been better lately but needs to be in that eight-minute range or the Jets will run the risk of running down its top forwards. The penalty kill has been excellent all season, while the power play has been better since November but has room for improvement.

Management (B) – The patient, conservative approach of general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff isn't for everyone, but it's finally yielding some results. The addition of versatile forward Mathieu Perreault in free agency was one of the best bargains of the summer, while bringing in veteran defenceman Jay Harrison to help stop the bleeding when the injuries hit came at little cost. Cheveldayoff also left some room for his developing players (like Adam Lowry) to force their way onto the roster with a strong training camp. But now that the Jets are in contention, can Cheveldayoff find a depth forward or two to bolster the bottom-six without sacrificing too much? And will he get Frolik signed to an extension before losing him as an unrestricted free agent? If the answer is yes on both fronts, Cheveldayoff's grade will improve further.

Ken.wiebe@sunmedia.ca

Twitter.com/WiebeSunSports