Introduction:
The Winnipeg Jets play their third game of 2019 looking to continue the type of game that lead them to a 5 – 1 victory Sunday against the Dallas Stars. It was their first game without Nikolaj Ehlers who is out until mid-February with an upper body injury (looks like shoulder, possibly clavicle). Judging by the length of absence, the injury does seem fairly serious. Hopefully, the estimate will be accurate in terms of recovery time. Ehlers absence has given an opportunity for Jack Roslovic to move up in the lineup and he did not look out of place in his first opportunity against Dallas.
Colorado has cooled off after a hot start, settling in at sixth place in the conference at the time of this post. They ended a six game losing streak on January 4 against the New York Rangers. Colorado has one of the top lines in hockey when Nathan MacKinnon – Mikko Rantanen – Gabriel Landeskog are together. Secondary scoring and a goaltending controversy seem to be the issues that the Avalanche are struggling with.
Frenemy Blog:
| Winnipeg Jets | Colorado Avalanche |
|---|---|
| Record: 26 13 2 | Record: 20 14 8 |
| Last Ten Games: 6 4 | Last Ten Games: 3 5 2 |
| Who Is Hot: Shout out to Dmitri Kulikov. Perhaps he�s not hot in the traditional sense, but, he is playing his best hockey to date as a Jet. | Who Is Hot: Mikko Rantanen may win the Art Ross trophy this year. |
| Who is Not: I am still going to put out a challenge to Bryan Little to put up some numbers close to resembling those of a second line center on a contending team. | Who Is Not: Every forward other than their big three. |
| Keep an Eye On: The Jets depth is being tested with two key players out for an extended period. It is time for some other players to step up. | Keep an Eye On: Goaltending. The Avalanche have a goaltending controversy going and it will be interesting to see who starts. |
