Last summer, there was some thought that the Winnipeg Jets would be entering a period of rebuilding, as goaltender Connor Hellebuyck and center Mark Scheifele were entering the final season of their contracts, with many thinking both of them would be moved for prospects and draft picks. Instead, both signed long-term contracts, and with about a month to go in the season, the Jets have a real shot at earning the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference playoffs.
Heading into Friday night’s game against the Anaheim Ducks (8 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+), the Jets are two points behind the pace in the Central Division, with two games in hand. The Vancouver Canucks currently sit atop the entire conference with 92 points, but the Jets have two games in hand on them.
Stathletes gives the Jets a 28.3% chance of winning the Central, and projects them for 108.2 points in the standings (compared to 112.1 for the Canucks).
Tonight’s game against the Ducks is one of eight of the Jets’ final 17 on the schedule against teams currently outside of playoff position. Vitally, they’ll play the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars once again apiece, and their final game of the season is against, you guessed it, the Canucks. So there might be something pretty significant on the line for that contest on Apr. 18.
As we traverse the final stretch of the regular season, it’s time to check in on all the playoff races — along with the teams jockeying for position in the 2024 NHL draft lottery.
Note: All times ET. All games not on TNT or NHL Network are available via NHL Power Play, which is included in an ESPN+ subscription (local blackout restrictions apply).
Points: 39 Regulation wins: 12 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 17 Points pace: 49 Next game: @ CBJ (Saturday) Playoff chances: 0% Tragic number: E
P — Clinched Presidents’ Trophy; Y — Clinched division; X — Clinched playoff berth; E — Eliminated from playoff contention
Race for the No. 1 pick
The NHL uses a draft lottery to determine the order of the first round, so the team that finishes in last place is not guaranteed the No. 1 selection. As of 2021, a team can move up a maximum of 10 spots if it wins the lottery, so only 11 teams are eligible for the draw for the No. 1 pick. Full details on the process can be found here. Sitting No. 1 on the draft board for this summer is Macklin Celebrini, a freshman at Boston University.
Points: 39 Regulation wins: 12
Points: 41 Regulation wins: 13
Points: 49 Regulation wins: 17
Points: 55 Regulation wins: 17
Points: 58 Regulation wins: 19
Points: 59 Regulation wins: 22
Points: 61 Regulation wins: 15
Points: 67 Regulation wins: 24
Points: 68 Regulation wins: 22
Points: 68 Regulation wins: 27
Points: 69 Regulation wins: 26
Points: 69 Regulation wins: 27
Points: 71 Regulation wins: 25
Points: 71 Regulation wins: 26
Points: 72 Regulation wins: 23
Points: 73 Regulation wins: 26
* The Penguins’ first-round pick was traded to the Sharks as part of the Erik Karlsson trade. However, it is top-10 protected.