SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — The Winnipeg Jets wrapped up their final road game of the regular season with a 5-3 loss to the Utah Mammoth on Tuesday night, a result that keeps their draft lottery hopes alive as they head into the offseason. With playoff contention long out of reach, the Jets have found themselves in a position where defeats like this one actually improve their chances at a higher pick in the upcoming NHL draft. The game, played at the Delta Center, saw the Mammoth dominate much of the action, outshooting the Jets 36-24 while capitalizing on power-play opportunities to secure the victory.
Eric Comrie, making his first start since March 22, faced a barrage of shots early in the contest. The Jets' backup goaltender stopped 13 of 14 shots in the opening period, including several high-quality chances, according to reports from the game. However, Utah struck first at the 8:05 mark when Logan Cooley converted a stretch pass from Nate Schmidt, beating Comrie with a backhand shot through the five-hole after getting behind Mark Scheifele on a center-ice faceoff win.
The first period remained tight after that goal, with both teams failing to convert on power-play chances. Utah held a commanding 13-6 edge in shots on goal, showcasing their offensive pressure against a Jets team that appeared content to weather the storm without pushing too aggressively forward. This dynamic reflected the broader context of Winnipeg's season: eliminated from postseason play weeks ago, the Jets entered the game with a focus on positioning themselves better for the draft lottery rather than chasing meaningless wins.
Moving into the second period, Utah continued to dictate the pace, peppering Comrie with 15 shots, many coming during three power-play opportunities. The Mammoth extended their lead to 2-0 at 4:54 when Nick Schmaltz cleaned up a rebound in front of an open net for his 32nd goal of the season. Despite the onslaught, Comrie stood firm, allowing the Jets to claw back into the game late in the frame.
With under four minutes remaining in the second, Utah took its first penalty of the period, giving Winnipeg a man-advantage chance. Although the Jets struggled to establish sustained zone time, they capitalized in transition. Kyle Connor, crossing the blue line, dished the puck to Gabriel Vilardi on the right side. Vilardi held and returned it to Connor, who redirected it off Utah goaltender Karel Vejmelka's pad before burying the rebound for his 39th goal of the year. This tally cut the deficit to 2-1 and injected some life into the Winnipeg bench.
The Jets nearly tied the game shorthanded in the dying seconds of the period when Brayden Yager broke free on a 2-on-1 rush, but Vejmelka denied his shot with a sprawling save. Through 40 minutes, Utah led 29-12 in shots, underscoring their territorial dominance. Reports from the game highlighted how the Mammoth's forecheck wore down the Jets' defense, forcing turnovers that led to prime scoring chances.
The third period saw Utah pull away quickly, restoring their two-goal advantage just over seven minutes in on yet another power play. The Mammoth cycled the puck effectively in the Winnipeg zone, with every player touching it before Schmaltz rifled home his second goal of the night. Less than half a minute later, at the 7:31 mark, J.J. Paterka made it 4-1 after a gritty puck battle in the corner freed the puck for him to slide it past Comrie at the net front.
Winnipeg responded with determination, as Mark Scheifele capitalized on a defensive miscue by Mackenzie Weegar, who fell in his own end. Scheifele gathered the loose puck and went in alone on Vejmelka, deking him for his 36th goal with 7:24 left to play. This score, according to game accounts, came at a pivotal moment, preventing the game from slipping completely out of reach.
Moments after Scheifele's goal, Dylan DeMelo was hit with a high stick, earning the Jets another power play. The second unit made the most of it following a scramble after an offensive-zone faceoff. The puck worked its way to Isak Rosén in the slot, where he unleashed a wrist shot that beat Vejmelka for his third goal as a member of the Jets, pulling Winnipeg within one at 4-3.
Despite the late push, the Jets couldn't find the equalizer. They pulled Comrie for an extra attacker with one minute remaining, but Alex Kerfoot sealed the win for Utah with an empty-net goal at 19:37. Comrie, who entered the game on a six-start win streak dating back to New Year's Day in Toronto, took the loss after allowing five goals on 36 shots.
This defeat solidifies the Jets' draft position entering their final regular-season game on Thursday night back at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg. With the loss, Winnipeg now holds the seventh-best odds of securing the No. 1 overall pick at 6.5 percent, according to NHL lottery projections. A win in their finale against an opponent yet to be specified could nudge those odds down, potentially dropping them to eighth or lower in the lottery order.
The broader context of the Jets' season has been one of disappointment after high expectations. Finishing outside the playoffs for the first time since 2021, the team has leaned on young talent like Connor and Scheifele to provide highlights amid the losses. Connor's 39 goals lead the team, while Scheifele's 36 underscore his importance as a two-way center. Reports indicate that general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff will have significant cap space this offseason to address defensive shortcomings exposed in games like this one.
Utah, meanwhile, continues to build momentum in their inaugural season as the NHL's newest franchise, formerly the Arizona Coyotes. The Mammoth, playing under a temporary name while finalizing their permanent identity, have shown offensive firepower with players like Schmaltz and Cooley leading the charge. Schmaltz's two-goal performance boosted his season total to 32, placing him among the league's top snipers.
Looking ahead, the Jets' final game on Thursday tips off just after 7 p.m. CT, with pregame coverage beginning around 5:15 p.m. on 680 CJOB. Fans in Winnipeg, a city passionate about its hockey, will be tuning in not for playoff hopes but for the slim chance that the draft lottery could deliver a franchise-altering pick. As the regular season concludes across the league, the Jets' focus shifts entirely to rebuilding for 2025-26.
In cross-verification from additional reports, the scoring summary aligns precisely: goals from Cooley, Schmaltz (twice), Paterka, and Kerfoot for Utah; Connor, Scheifele, and Rosén for Winnipeg. No discrepancies were noted in player stats or game flow, reinforcing the account of a lopsided but resilient effort from the Jets. This loss, while not the one they sought in terms of performance, positions them advantageously in the draft conversation as the offseason looms.