{"id":529689,"date":"2026-03-29T18:12:20","date_gmt":"2026-03-29T18:12:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/529689\/"},"modified":"2026-03-29T18:12:20","modified_gmt":"2026-03-29T18:12:20","slug":"jets-week-ahead-schedule-storylines-do-or-die-emergency-call-ups-new-blood-and-more-the-hockey-writers-winnipeg-jets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/529689\/","title":{"rendered":"Jets Week Ahead: Schedule & Storylines – Do-or-Die, Emergency Call-Ups, New Blood and More – The Hockey Writers – Winnipeg Jets"},"content":{"rendered":"

You can clearly see the tension building around the Winnipeg Jets right now. We are entering the make-or-break final stretch of the 2025-26 NHL season, and the pressure is definitely on. Here are the key storylines surrounding the team right now and their upcoming schedule for the week of March 29 \u2013 April 4, 2026.<\/p>\n

The Wild Card Playoff Push<\/p>\n

The absolute biggest story right now is the Jets\u2019 desperate scramble for the final Western Conference wild-card spot. <\/p>\n

Following a huge, somewhat controversial 4-2 upset win<\/a> over the top-seeded Colorado Avalanche last night (March 28), fueled by a Cole Perfetti game-winner, the Jets are now just three points behind the Nashville Predators for that final playoff berth. Every game from here on out is do-or-die.<\/p>\n

Emergency Call-Ups & Injury Woes<\/p>\n

Morgan Barron was recently pulled for concussion protocol, leaving his immediate status up in the air. Because they weren\u2019t carrying an extra forward, the Jets had to make emergency recalls<\/a>, bringing up prospects Danny Zhilkin and Parker Ford from the American Hockey League\u2019s Manitoba Moose to fill the gaps.<\/p>\n

New Blood in the Pipeline<\/p>\n

The Jets just signed highly touted college free-agent forward Lucas Wahlin<\/a> to a one-year, two-way contract. The former University of St. Thomas captain will finish out this season on an amateur try-out with the Moose before his NHL deal officially kicks in for 2026-27.<\/p>\n

Jets Upcoming Schedule<\/p>\n

The outlook for the next seven days is critical: it\u2019s a three-game road trip that will likely decide their season.<\/p>\n

They have two very winnable matchups against struggling teams (Chicago Blackhawks and Columbus Blue Jackets) sandwiching a brutal divisional test against the high-flying Dallas Stars. If they want to catch Nashville and secure a playoff ticket, dropping points isn\u2019t an option. Taking at least four out of the six available points on this trip is practically mandatory.<\/p>\n

DateOpponentLocationTime (CT)Tuesday, Mar. 31@ Chicago BlackhawksUnited Center7:30 PMThursday, Apr. 2@ Dallas StarsAmerican Airlines Center7:00 PMSaturday, Apr. 4@ Columbus Blue JacketsNationwide Arena6:00 PM<\/p>\n

AI tools were used to support the creation or distribution of this content, however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of The Hockey Writers editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our Editorial Standards<\/a> page.<\/p>\n

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