You're probably looking for the score of the Winnipeg Jets today game, but here is the thing: there isn't one. After a chaotic, emotional, and frankly exhausting stretch of hockey, the Jets have a rare Friday night off this January 16, 2026.
Honestly, the timing couldn't be better.
Just 24 hours ago, the Jets were in St. Paul, absolutely dismantling the Minnesota Wild in a 6-2 blowout. It was their fourth win in a row. If you follow this team, you know how wild that sentence sounds considering where they were ten days ago. They had just crawled out of a nightmare 11-game winless streak (0-7-4) that felt like it was going to swallow their season whole.
Now? They’re the hottest team in the Central Division, even if the standings don’t quite reflect that yet.
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What Happened in the Last Winnipeg Jets Today Game?
If you missed the action last night at Grand Casino Arena, you missed a masterclass. Mark Scheifele is playing like a man possessed. He put up a goal and three assists against the Wild, pushing his season totals to 23 goals and 35 assists. He’s basically carrying the offensive load on his back right now.
But it wasn't just the Scheifele show.
Jonathan Toews—yes, the veteran presence everyone questioned—notched his 900th career NHL point with a power-play goal. It’s kinda poetic seeing him hit that milestone in a Jets jersey during a comeback stretch like this. The Jets scored three goals in the final six minutes of the first period. Talk about a gut punch to the home crowd in Minnesota.
The Defensive Crisis Nobody Talks About
While the offense is clicking, the blue line is held together by tape and prayer. This is the real story behind the Winnipeg Jets today game schedule gap. They are decimated on defense.
Check out this casualty list:
- Neal Pionk: Just went on Injured Reserve (IR) with a lower-body injury after a nasty fall against the Islanders.
- Colin Miller: Week-to-week with a lower-body issue.
- Haydn Fleury: Still recovering from that terrifying incident where he was stretchered off against Vegas. Luckily, it’s a broken nose and bruised back, not the head injury everyone feared, but he’s still out.
Because of this, the Jets have been forced to lean on kids like Elias Salomonsson and Isaak Phillips. Salomonsson was just recalled from the Manitoba Moose. He’s 21, has four games of NHL experience, and is being asked to play meaningful minutes in a playoff race. It’s a lot of pressure, but Scott Arniel doesn't have much of a choice.
The Hellebuyck Factor
You can't talk about the Jets without talking about Connor Hellebuyck. He was the second star of the game last night, stopping 32 of 34 shots. His season stats (11-12-4, 2.75 GAA) might look "average" to a casual observer, but if you watch the games, you know he’s been the only reason some of these losses weren't double-digit blowouts.
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He was recently named to Team USA for the 2026 Olympics in Milano Cortina. You can see that "Olympic form" starting to settle in. When Hellebuyck is locked in, the Jets can beat anyone, even with a depleted defense.
Why Today Matters for the Standings
Even though they aren't playing tonight, the Jets are scoreboard watching. They currently sit at 18-22-5 with 41 points. They are 8th in the Central, which sounds bad, but the gap is closing. St. Louis is only three points ahead of them. Chicago is four points ahead.
If the teams ahead of them stumble tonight while the Jets rest their legs, that Saturday night game against the Toronto Maple Leafs becomes even more massive.
The Road Ahead: What to Watch For
The Jets are back at Canada Life Centre tomorrow, January 17, to face the Leafs. It’s going to be loud. It's going to be rowdy. And it’s going to be a massive test for those rookie defensemen.
If you're planning to follow the next game, keep an eye on:
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- The Power Play: It went 2-for-4 against Minnesota. When the puck movement is that crisp, they are dangerous.
- Gabriel Vilardi: He’s quietly put up 19 goals and is becoming a secondary scoring threat that teams can't ignore.
- Morgan Barron's Health: He was a game-time decision yesterday but didn't play. If he returns Saturday, it adds much-needed grit to the bottom six.
Basically, the Jets have transformed from a "Presidents' Trophy hangover" disaster into a team that nobody wants to play right now. They’ve won four straight, outscoring opponents 19-10 in that span.
Take the night off, let the bruises heal, and get ready for a Saturday night showdown in Winnipeg.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Tickets: Check the secondary markets early for the Toronto game; prices usually spike Friday night after people realize it's a Hockey Night in Canada matchup.
- Roster Moves: Keep an eye on the waiver wire or further Moose recalls tomorrow morning. If another defenseman goes down in practice, they’ll be digging deep into the AHL depth chart.
- Viewing: Saturday's game against Toronto starts at 6:00 PM CST on TSN3 and Sportsnet.