The Winnipeg Jets are in a really tough spot on Thursday night.

After winning Game 1 in decisive fashion, it looked as if Winnipeg was well on its way to making good on its status as a “trendy underdog” in Round 1 against Vegas.

But it’s been all downhill for the Jets since the curtain-raiser, both on and off the ice. 

Not only have the Jets lost three games on the spin, but they also lost No. 1 defenseman Josh Morrissey for the series, while 42-goal scorer Mark Scheifele is questionable.

Winnipeg was already missing talismanic winger Nikolaj Ehlers and rookie standout Cole Perfetti up front, too.

It seems like the attrition of an up-and-down season will finally catch up to the Jets. 

But just because it’s unlikely the Jets will come back and win this series doesn’t mean they can’t make a go of it.

(10 p.m. Eastern)

Although they’ve been outscored 12 to six at five-on-five in this series, the underlying metrics suggest things should be much tighter than that.

The two teams are basically dead even in terms of shot attempts and high-danger scoring chances at five-on-five, though the Golden Knights have the better expected goals numbers. 

Most importantly, the Jets still have what should be a big edge in the goaltending department with Connor Hellebuyck.

He’s not been at his world-beating best thus far in this series, but Hellebuyck remains a potential game-stealer. 

Winnipeg’s red-hot power play and the presence of Hellebuyck make it a live underdog on Thursday night. 

Jets +150 (BetMGM)