Pick Six: Building Your Ultimate Jets Package

Jamie: With the Jets’ 2026-27 schedule now set, the fun part begins: deciding which six games you want to see in person. And with so many great matchups, weekend dates and special nights to choose from, narrowing it down to just six can be a challenge.

That’s where Sara Orlesky and I come in. We’re going to take a closer look at the schedule and help you build the six-game package that’s right for you. Whether you’re looking for the biggest opponents, the best rivalries, games that fall on convenient nights, or simply the matchups we think will have the best atmosphere at Canada Life Centre, we’ll give you our picks and explain why they made the cut.

Think of it as your guide to building the ultimate Jets six-pack. We’ll look at the schedule from a fan’s perspective and highlight the games we think are worth circling on your calendar. You can then mix and match our suggestions to create a package that fits your hockey tastes, your schedule and the kind of Jets experience you’re looking for.

I’m honoured to have been asked to select the games that you should purchase, so here is my 6 Game Pack. Feel free to ignore Sara’s choices because mine are better.

TIER 1

October 17 vs. Hurricanes – The chance to see the defending Stanley Cup champions on a Sunday afternoon is easy for me. Winnipeger Seth Jarvis returns home and of course, Nikolaj Ehlers.

March 5 vs. Washington – The greatest goal scorer who ever lived is coming back to Winnipeg, perhaps for the last time. These two teams are both looking to bounce back from an off year. Should be a lot of fun.

TIER 2

December 20 vs. Stars – The second game of the back-to-back series at Canada Life Centre with the Stars, the last home game before the Christmas break. I’ll be there, so should you.

January 16 vs. Ducks – Anaheim is one of the rising teams in the Western Conference. The Jets will be looking to send a message that they still are one of the best.

TIER 3

January 24 vs. Sabres – The first month of 2027 is loaded with great matchups for the Jets and another young, improved team arrive for a fast-paced matinee affair.

March 18 vs. Sharks – A chance to see Scheifele and Lowry go head-to-head with Celebrini? Yes, please.

Sara: Great choices, Jamie. I, of course, would never have turned this into a competition but since you put it out there… 

TIER 1

I was a little worried when you sent me your picks for tier 1 that we would overlap but not the case. There is no wrong choice when you look at the options BUT I’m going to go a different route. 

December 28^th vs Sharks — This one wasn’t even a debate for me. With all the young talent on this roster, SJ will once again be one of the most entertaining visiting teams to come to CLC this season and if you have kids, it is during the holiday break. Perhaps you want to get some Christmas shopping done already? 

February 21st vs Penguins — You went the Ovechkin route and I’m going with another veteran in Crosby. Although you wouldn’t know it by the way he played last season, Sidney Crosby just turned 39 and since we only see Eastern conference teams in town once a season, I’d take any opportunity I could to still see him play. 

TIER 2

Okay, these games were a challenge for me because I could have gone a number of different ways. I wanted to go with back-to-back Dallas games because we haven’t seen that scenario at Canada Life Centre since the Capitals were here in March 2013, but I also wanted to make sure I had a game later in the season. 

So instead, I am going to stick with the Central division but choose:  

December 19^th vs Stars - Jamie chose the 20^th and I didn’t want to follow suit. Plus, Saturday night game during the holiday season will be a lot of fun. 

March 25^th vs Avalanche - I had to get the Avs in there somewhere because I usually love games between these two teams.  The Avs roster speaks for itself. This will be game 77 of the season for Winnipeg and another great chance to see how the team stacks up this late in the season.

TIER 3 

I realized I’m long winded in my earlier explanations. I’ll try to be more like Jamie.

October 27 vs Panthers - This game could be a lot of fun. It’s the Halloween game, that’s why. What were you thinking? 

March 18 vs Sharks - The Sharks final time at CLC this season and you’ll want to be there to watch Kyle Connor outscore Macklin Celebrini.