With the trade deadline now in the rearview mirror, there is no more external help on the way. The roster is now set and it’s up to them to get into the playoffs. After a poor performance over the weekend on back to back games, the Jets really need to pick up two points against the Capitals tonight.

Here’s what they need to do to get the victory.

The Jets struggled to score in the third period against the Sabres and it largely had to do with their neutral zone play. Buffalo fell into a passive forecheck and allowed the Jets to try and pass it through the middle of the ice. Winnipeg couldn’t connect and they could barely get the puck into the offensive zone. The Jets are a fast team, but it doesn’t matter how fast you can skate if the passes aren’t crisp and accurate.

Watch for the offensive zone entries in this game because that’s where the Jets need to create their chances. We have seen Winnipeg struggle throughout the year trying to score in the offensive end, so working off the rush gives them the best shot at winning this game.

The Jets played a fairly strong game defensive game against the Sabres, but all it took was one mistake to lose the game. Beaulieu stepped up at the blue line but the puck made it past him as Buffalo came in with an odd-man rush. After a full game of decent defensive play, it was this one little mistake that allowed the Sabres to score the game-winner. The Jets need a full defensive effort against the Capitals, but more importantly, they can’t allow the big mistake to cost them a goal.

It’s almost getting comical at this point. The Jets have been scored on first for eight consecutive games. We saw the Jets win a few of those games last week, but we saw the opposite over the weekend. The early deficit was a major factor against the Flyers as Philadelphia had a large enough cushion to fend of Winnipeg’s attack.

The Jets were able to tie the game against the Sabres, but after going down by a goal, they had to work that much harder just to get the game back even. The terrible third period likely had to do with Winnipeg being tired on a back to back where they spent the majority of the weekend chasing a lead.

If the Jets want to beat the Capitals, they need to get out to a fast start and get up by one or two goals in the first period. This will give them a much easier game where they can play from a position of power.

The Jets desperately need the victory, but the Capitals are a really strong team. After two losses on the road over the weekend, it’s hard to imagine Winnipeg will be able to beat Washington. The Jets will score a couple, but they will fall 4-2 in the game.