It appears that\u2019s what the Winnipeg Jets are doing late this season.<\/p>\n
Jets\u2019 Raging Against Dying Postseason Hopes<\/p>\n
The Jets\u2019 playoff hopes have been dim for a long time now, but they do not appear satisfied to \u201cgo gentle\u201d to mathematical elimination.<\/p>\n
Entering play Monday, they are three points back of the second Western Conference wild-card spot, currently held by the Nashville Predators, with a 31-30-12 record, 74 points, and nine games remaining.<\/p>\n
They have managed to collect at least a point in 13 of 17 games since coming out of the Winter Olympic break by going 9-4-4 and have closed the gap between them and a playoff berth from 11 to three since play resumed in late February. Their game has not been perfect by any means, but they\u2019ve really grinded by winning four games in extra time and getting four other games past 60 minutes for \u201closer\u201d points.<\/p>\n
![\"Mark](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Mark-Scheifele-Jets-5-1200x800.jpg\")
The Jets have gotten themselves to within three points of a wild-card spot. (Terrence Lee-Imagn Images)<\/p>\n
They have adhered better to their defensive structure, gotten faster since the trade deadline\u2019s additions and subtractions, and benefitted from a more balanced top six that features Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele on the top line and Gabriel Vilardi on the second.<\/p>\n
Related: Jets Sell, But Not Aggressively, on Trade Deadline Day<\/a><\/p>\n It\u2019s fairly remarkable they are even in the conversation considering they were dead last in the entire NHL in early January after a disastrous first half of the season<\/a>, which included a franchise-long 11-game losing streak from mid December into January.<\/p>\n Not Going Gentle May Not Be the Best Route for the Franchise<\/p>\n However, there\u2019s an argument to be made \u2014 one many have made over the past few months, author included, and continue to \u2014 that the best thing for the Jets to is to go gentle.<\/p>\n The Jets\u2019 playoff odds are still just 10.6 per cent<\/a>, the highest they\u2019ve been in a while but still very long, and they are in the unenviable position of having to rely on out-of-town scoreboard help. Even if the Jets were to defy the odds, a matchup with the likely Presidents\u2019 Trophy winner Colorado Avalanche screams \u201cfirst-round exit via sweep\u201d (even though the Jets did beat the Avalanche twice in three games this month, including 4-2 on Saturday).<\/p>\n While those on \u201cteam tank\u201d \u2014 who argue that finishing as low as possible to get better odds of winning the NHL Draft Lottery or at least getting a top-five pick is best \u2014 have the logical upper hand, most NHL players and coaches are extremely competitive and proud. It\u2019s tough to convince them to lose in any circumstances, regardless of their team\u2019s position in the standings and even if getting a player like Gavin McKenna<\/a> or Ivar Stenberg<\/a> is better for the franchise\u2019s long-term trajectory than making a playoff push that falls short.<\/p>\n Regardless, the Jets\u2019 rage against the dying of the light will make for an interesting final stretch in Winnipeg, one much more interesting than anticipated a couple months back. They\u2019re back in action Tuesday evening in Chicago versus the Blackhawks.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s just one at a time. I know you guys don\u2019t want to hear it, but we looked at the scoreboard and we got some help around the league,\u201d head coach Scott Arniel said<\/a> postgame Saturday after his team won and the Predators lost. \u201cThat\u2019s what we need, but you\u2019ve got to win to gain ground. We did that. Now all of our focus zeroes in on Chicago. It can\u2019t be one of those ones where you have a great game here and then you take a big step back.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a>![\"SUBSCRIBE](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Jets_Banner-1200x122.jpg\")
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