Comments / New

Preview: Colorado Avalanche @ Winnipeg Jets

Nov 7, 2024; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Winnipeg Jets players celebrate their victory over the Colorado Avalanche at Canada Life Centre. Mandatory Credit: James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images

The Canada Life Centre had the opportunity to witness what shutdown defensive playoff style hockey looks like when the Los Angeles Kings stifled the Winnipeg Jets’ offense on Friday night during a 2-1 OT loss. Less than 24 hours later, that same arena will get the chance to host what could possibly be an example of a high-end offensive playoff clash when the Colorado Avalanche take the ice against our Jets.

Winnipeg (28-12-3) played very well defensively in the game against LA, but the squad struggled to create any offense which resulted in yet another undeserved loss for backup Eric Comrie. The biggest plus from Friday was the stellar return from injury by Dylan Samberg, who amazed by playing 22:32 while helping the Jets to outshoot the Kings 17-7, out chance LA 5-2, and an expected goal percentage of 66.55% when he was on the ice (via NaturalStatTrick). Unfortunately our squad’s top six was heavily out-played in the game and that has brought up a lot of “first round exit” angst from the fanbase. Well, perhaps the team can install a little bit of enthusiasm back with a great performance on Saturday against another Western Conference powerhouse.

Colorado (26-16-1) has been absolutely red hot lately, going 8-1-1 in their past 10 contests. Oddly, those two losses came against the lowly Chicago Blackhawks and somewhat resurgent Montreal Canadiens. Their great play has come despite the Avalanche having a slew of injuries, so many that I will let PuckPedia tell the entire story.

The Avs are missing plenty of firepower, but Winnipeg won’t be able to relax as Colorado still can do plenty of damage with the players they have left. Here is how the two coaching staffs are predicted to line up their players when the puck drops at 6 pm Central:

The Jets’ top offensive contributors have been Kyle Connor (54 pts), Mark Scheifele (49), Gabriel Vilardi (38), Josh Morrissey (38), Nikolaj Ehlers (34), & Neal Pionk (28).

The Avalanche’s leading scorers include Nathan MacKinnon (68 pts), Mikko Rantanen (60), Cale Makar (49), & Casey Mittelstadt (26).

Now that we’ve looked at some individual skater stats, lets move on to look at the goalies’ performances to date and how the teams have done in the Match Up graphic below:

With the Winnipeg Jets’ dismal record in the second half of back-to-back games this season, I know most of us aren’t expecting much from tonight’s contest against the hated Colorado Avalanche. The injuries to known Jet-killer Valeri Nichushkin and Samuel Girard may open the door for the True Northers to surprise the fanbase….but I am guessing most of us will take a “wait & see” attitude to that happening.

Go Winnipeg!!!!!!

Looking for an easy way to support Arctic Ice Hockey?
Use our Affiliate Link when shopping hockey merch this season!

Talking Points