In a pivotal matchup against the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night, the Winnipeg Jets missed an opportunity to distance themselves from their playoff race competitors. Despite the 2-1 loss, however, the Jets remain in control of their playoff destiny. With just five games left in the regular season, every point counts as the battle for playoff positioning intensifies. As the Jets gear up for a crucial stretch run, let’s take a closer look at their chances moving forward.
Despite their recent struggles, veteran Winnipeg Jets defenseman Nate Schmidt remains optimistic about his team’s chances in the playoff race. Though the Jets suffered a 3-0 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Sunday night, Schmidt believes the team is in a much better position than they were 12 months ago when they were out of the playoff conversation entirely. Still, the Jets missed a chance to create more separation from the two teams chasing them in the Western Conference turtle derby: the Calgary Flames and Nashville Predators.
The Jets’ upcoming schedule sees them host the Arizona Coyotes, followed by a road trip to California to play three non-playoff teams. While it might look like an advantageous schedule, they can’t afford to take any game for granted. “It’s up to us to stay [in the playoff position] and push up a little higher,” said Jets head coach Rick Bowness to reporters.
One of the biggest issues for the Jets has been their inability to convert on the power play, going 0-for-13 over the past three games. They’ve also struggled to score goals, getting blanked in two of their past three games and slipping to the bottom third of the NHL in goals scored. While admitting it “sucks” to lose games, Nikolaj Ehlers said the team knows what it needs to do and can turn its fortunes around.
The Jets’ inconsistency has become a constant issue, with the team finding themselves struggling to maintain momentum, as they’ve given up the first goal in nine of their past 10 games. They’ll need to snap out of this funk quickly to maintain their position in the playoff picture.
In the end, the Winnipeg Jets may have missed out on an opportunity to secure their playoff position with a win over the Edmonton Oilers, but they still hold their destiny in their own hands. It’s clear that every game from here on out will be crucial for the Jets, and they will need to continue to play their best hockey if they hope to make it into the playoffs. With the team’s depth and talent, all eyes will be on the Jets to see if they can rise to the challenge and secure their spot in the postseason. As the season heats up, there’s no doubt that the Jets will be one of the most exciting teams to watch. Here’s hoping they can accomplish their goals and make a deep run in the playoffs!
