ANALYSIS: Playoff feel already here as Jets take on Stars in Central Division heavyweight matchup – Winnipeg

There may be lower than 20 per cent of the NHL season remaining for the Winnipeg Jets, and whereas they lead the league in total wins, they haven’t secured a post-season berth simply but.

With a purpose to get there, they’ll doubtless require a further 4 or 5 victories over their remaining 16 video games and doubtless no less than double that quantity in the event that they wish to retain the highest spot within the Central Division.

And whereas the playoffs are nonetheless six weeks away, the extent of significance of every sport Winnipeg performs has turn into discernable, because the stakes develop better and the staff’s expectations enhance with every two factors.

It’s a sense that was actually current Tuesday night time in downtown Winnipeg because the Jets had been incomes a hard-fought, one-goal, 15-round prize struggle over the New York Rangers. What that win additionally produced was a lens into what the shuffle towards sport 83 – and past – goes to seem like henceforth.

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That brings us to Friday night time, when the Dallas Stars come to city – a staff eight factors again of the Jets for first within the division and with two video games in hand.

With out hyperbole, will probably be unquestionably essentially the most consequential sport for each groups this season.

A win by the Jets will increase their result in 10 factors. A loss drops it to 6 and the video games in hand that the Stars possess turn into much more beneficial within the race to safe the regular-season Central Division banner.

Now, there’s nothing must-win about Friday’s sport between the Jets and Stars. We’re merely mentioning that it might very properly affect a divisional winner, making it actually an important sport of the season for each groups.

And with lower than 20 per cent of the season left to play, Friday’s victor gained’t safe a post-season berth with a win, however we’re 80 per cent certain Friday’s sport will really feel just like the playoffs have already arrived.

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