SALT LAKE CITY – Since late February, the Winnipeg Jets have been on a mission to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Despite long odds and an 11-point deficit at the time, they worked their way to as close as one point from a playoff spot over the last six weeks.

However, with Monday’s 6-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights, coupled with the fact the Los Angeles Kings – the team the Jets were chasing for the final wildcard spot in the Western Conference – picked up a win in Seattle, meant that dream was over.

“It’s a terrible feeling,” said head coach Scott Arniel. “We went from 11 points down to one at one time. It’s a tough feeling. I know the guys, they’re hurting. They all want to be in the playoffs, that’s what our job is and our role is. When you get the reality of it, it sucks.”

Now, the Jets (35-33-12) have to quickly refocus to take on the Utah Mammoth tonight at Delta Center. The disappointment of missing the postseason for the first time since 2021-22 will still be there, for sure, but the Jets want to end the road half of their schedule on a positive note, even after the difficult setback in Vegas.

“We were pushing until the end. It’s a tough reality,” said Mark Scheifele.

Utah’s home rink has proven to be a tough spot for the Jets. They’ve yet to find their way to a win in that building, even though the most recent visit – which came back in December – saw the Jets erase a 3-0 deficit before ultimately falling in overtime by a score of 4-3.

In fact, Utah has won both games of the three-game season series for far, so the Jets will be looking to change that trend when the puck drops tonight. The Mammoth, meanwhile, are looking to get back in the win column after dropping two in a row, with their most recent outing being a 4-1 loss in Calgary on Sunday.

The Mammoth (42-32-6) have clinched a spot in the playoffs for the first time and will open a short two-game home stand to close out the regular season. The Mammoth will hold a morning skate on Tuesday while the Jets will stay off the ice as they prepare to complete their final set of back-to-back games this season.

So far, the Jets are 6-1-0 in the back half of back-to-back games this season. Without a morning skate, warm-up will be the best indication of whether head coach Scott Arniel makes any changes to the line-up.

Even if there are only two games left on the schedule and the postseason is no longer a possibility, the Jets will still want to put their best foot forward. After all, wins always feel better than losses, and a number of Jets are chasing career-highs.

Mark Scheifele became the first member of the Jets since relocation to hit 100 points in a season on Monday, and even did one better by adding his 101st on his 35th goal of the 2025-26 campaign.

“I’m very blessed. I play with some amazing players,” said Scheifele. “I’m proud of myself and I know there is still more, so that’s exciting.”

Meanwhile, Nino Niederreiter sits at 499 points and a forward like Brayden Yager – who played in his first NHL game on Monday – is still looking for his first goal and point.

“It’s difficult but we have young guys coming in the line-up and playing their early games, so it’s time for guys to show their stuff,” said Scheifele. “It’s time for young guys to show their stuff and there are two games left. You have to play them, you have to give them your all. That’s going to be my mentality.”

There is always something to play for – a personal milestone, a high standard of team play, or just the satisfaction of finally earning a win in Utah – so expect the Jets to bring their best in the final road game of the regular season.

Puck drop is set for 8 pm CT.