The Panthers are now undeniably the NHL’s most-dominant franchise, and this midseason matchup in Winnipeg will be a good measuring-stick game for a team like the Jets. They won the Presidents’ Trophy last season but clearly aren’t in the same echelon as the Panthers when it comes to relentlessness, ability to suffocate opponents, and sheer will to win. 5: Feb. 26, 2026: Jets’ Post-Olympic Stretch Run Begins in Vancouver The Jets will be off from Feb. 5 through Feb. 24 for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games taking place from Feb. 6 to 22, 2026, in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. NHLers are participating for the first time since 2014, and Jets fans will likely get to enjoy watching Kyle Connor (USA), Connor Hellebuyck (USA), Josh Morrissey (Canada), and possibly Scheifele (Canada) in addition to Nino Niederreiter — who was already announced as one of Switzerland’s first six players — compete on the world stage. The Jets’ stretch run really ramps up after the Olympics ends, with 26 games between Feb. 25 and April 16. The sprint to the finish begins Feb. 26 with an away game against the Vancouver Canucks, and the quicker the Jets get feeling good out of the break, the better. Last season, the Jets came out of the 4 Nations Face-Off break (Feb. 8 through 22) in first place in the Central at 39-14-3 and riding an eight-game winning streak. They built that streak into a franchise-long 11-game run with three-straight victories out of the break. There’s no doubt they would like to be in a similar position going into the Olympic break and have a similar success when they come out of it.