After picking up a crucial two points in a 4-3 overtime victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday, the Winnipeg Jets are within striking distance of what once seemed like an impossible playoff push. Winnipeg now sits just one point out of a wild card spot, turning a late-season surge into a legitimate postseason bid.
Since returning from the Olympic break, the Jets have been one of the hottest teams in the league, earning points in 14 of their last 18 games and posting a 10-4-4 record over that stretch. Their ability to keep games close has been a defining factor, allowing them to steadily climb the standings while other contenders have stumbled.
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Among the teams battling for the final wild card positions, Winnipeg holds a subtle but important edge as they have the best goal differential at minus-15, significantly better than the current holders of those spots, the Nashville Predators at minus-26 and the next closest contender with the Jets in the Los Angeles Kings at minus-27.
Despite the momentum, the path to the playoffs remains complicated as Los Angeles controls its own destiny with what is considered the easiest remaining schedule in the league. The Kings also have two pivotal head-to-head matchups against Nashville, games that could dramatically reshape the standings.
The Predators, meanwhile, face a demanding stretch run in addition to their games against the Kings as they must take on the San Jose Sharks and the Utah Mammoth, both of whom are still part of the playoff picture. Nashville’s schedule becomes even more daunting with upcoming matchups against the Minnesota Wild and two games against the Pacific Division leading Anaheim Ducks.
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Winnipeg’s road is no easier as they will need to maintain their strong play against direct competitors like San Jose and Utah while also navigating a series of tough games against top-tier opponents. Their remaining schedule includes clashes with the Dallas Stars, Columbus Blue Jackets, Vegas Golden Knights, and the surging Philadelphia Flyers.
According to MoneyPuck, Winnipeg’s playoff odds currently sit at 15.6 percent. While those numbers remain modest, they reflect a team that has given itself a real chance down the stretch. If the Jets can sustain the level of play they have shown over the past 18 games, their late-season push may yet become one of the most remarkable turnarounds in recent memory.
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