Winnipeg fights for its season, needing an improbable late-season surge against tough opponents for a sliver of playoff hope.
The Winnipeg Jets did everything they could to keep their playoff hopes alive with a 2-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday. Despite the win, they remain three points out of a playoff spot with just six games left in the season, facing four teams ahead of them in the standings.
According to MoneyPuck, the Jets’ chances of making the playoffs sit at just 6.3 percent, one of the lowest probabilities of any team this season. The Jets have been strong recently, collecting points in 17 of their last 23 games, but they will need a perfect finish to their season to have a shot at the playoffs.
The remaining schedule does not make things any easier as Winnipeg will face tough matchups against current playoff teams such as the Philadelphia Flyers and Vegas Golden Knights, as well as teams competing for the postseason like the Utah Mammoth, who currently hold the first wild card spot. The Jets will close out the season against the San Jose Sharks, adding to the challenge.
While the road is steep, the NHL is no stranger to surprises and Winnipeg will need everything to go right if they want to pull off the improbable and secure a playoff berth.
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.