The Winnipeg Jets have been grinding through a tough stretch-19 straight games of competitive hockey. But even with the effort, only six wins came out of that run.
And in their most recent outing, the wheels came off in a big way. A third-period collapse against the Detroit Red Wings turned a manageable game into a 5-1 rout, snapping that streak of close contests and sending the Jets tumbling further down the standings.
With that loss, Winnipeg remains well behind in the Western Conference playoff chase. And with the Calgary Flames picking up a point on Sunday, the Jets now find themselves holding the third-worst record in the NHL. Not exactly the kind of momentum you want heading into February.
So where does that leave them in the draft lottery picture? According to Tankathon, the Jets currently have a 12.2% chance at landing the No. 1 overall pick, 11.9% at No. 2, and 8.9% at No.
- The most likely outcomes, though, are at picks 4 (40.3%) and 5 (26.7%).
And in a recent mock lottery simulation, the results weren’t kind to Winnipeg. Despite having the third-best odds, they ended up with the fifth pick, while the Capitals (with just a 5.3% chance) and Predators (7.2%) jumped the line to snag the top two spots.
That’s the kind of lottery luck that stings-especially when you’re hoping to land a franchise-changing player.
But no time to dwell. The Jets are hitting the road for a four-game trip, starting tonight against the New Jersey Devils. Both teams are in a similar spot: stuck in the standings with about 30 games left and needing a serious push to stay relevant in the playoff race.
For Winnipeg, the gap is eight points. That’s what they need to catch the trio of San Jose, Los Angeles, and Seattle for the final wild card spot in the West.
But it’s not just about the points-they’ve got six teams to leapfrog. The Devils, meanwhile, are seven points back of the Canadiens and Bruins in the East and have five teams ahead of them in the wild card chase.
So yeah, both clubs are desperate for wins right now.
What’s interesting is how both teams started this season with promise. The Jets dropped their opener, then rattled off nine wins in their next 11 games.
The Devils followed a similar script-losing their first, then going on an eight-game heater. But since then, both have struggled to find consistency.
Injuries, defensive lapses, and cold stretches from key players have all played a part.
Tonight’s matchup at the Prudential Center in Newark features two teams coming off losses. Winnipeg has dropped back-to-back games-marking their seventh multi-game losing streak of the season. New Jersey, meanwhile, saw their three-game winning streak snapped during a road trip that ended with a loss to the Seattle Kraken.
Statistically, the teams are fairly close in most categories. Winnipeg has scored more goals overall-149 to New Jersey’s 138-but the Devils have the edge on the power play.
Defensively, it’s nearly a wash: the Jets have allowed 158 goals, the Devils 159. That puts them 13th and 14th in the league in goals against, respectively.
So while neither team is elite defensively, they’re not bottom feeders either.
Injuries are going to factor into tonight’s lineups. The Devils are without three players, including standout defenseman Luke Hughes, along with forwards Stefan Noesen and Zack MacEwen. That’s a big blow to their blue line, especially with Hughes playing such a pivotal role in transition and on the power play.
Winnipeg, on the other hand, is missing three defensemen: Neal Pionk, Colin Miller, and Haydn Fleury. Head coach Scott Arniel confirmed they’ll all be out until after the Olympic break, which is only five games away.
That’s a tough pill to swallow for a team trying to stay afloat, and it likely puts a pause on any trade involving veteran Luke Schenn. Until one of the right-shot defensemen gets healthy, GM Kevin Cheveldayoff may have to hold off on making moves.
The Jets did make a roster tweak, recalling Isaak Phillips from the Manitoba Moose after a solid showing in the AHL. He’ll serve as the extra defenseman for now.
Meanwhile, Gustav Nyquist remains a healthy scratch. For a veteran with experience and offensive upside, it might be time for Chevy to find him a new home where he can contribute.
There’s a bit of a reunion storyline tonight, too, as the Jets will face off against former teammates Brenden Dillon and Jonathan Kovacevic. Both are now suiting up for the Devils, and you can bet there’ll be some extra motivation on both sides when the puck drops.
Puck drops at 6 p.m. Central.
Two teams with similar records, similar struggles, and the same urgent need to turn things around. One of them will take a step in the right direction tonight.
The other? Well, the clock’s ticking.