The Winnipeg Jets (12-1-0) will try to extend their 4 game winning streak tonight when the Colorado Avalanche (6-7-0) visit town. The two Central Division franchises have had opposite starts to the 2024-25 season, with the Avs struggling to find wins consistently due to numerous missing players while our Jets have been almost unbeatable. The game will get underway at 7 pm CST, so lets check out what the situation is with each team while we wait for the puck to drop.
Kyle Connor (19 pts), Mark Scheifele (17), & Nikolaj Ehlers (17) are Winnipeg’s top scorers coming into Thursday’s match. The True North franchise has been getting offensive production from throughout the lineup, with 10 players already reaching the 10 pt mark on the season through the opening 13 contests. And it is not just the forwards that are getting into the action, as Josh Morrissey (16) and Neal Pionk (13) are among the NHL’s highest scoring d-men (#44 is in 2nd and #4 is tied for 3rd).
Once again, I expect head coach Scott Arniel to keep his roster the same for tonight’s game, as outlined in the following PuckPedia graphic:
The Colorado Avalanche are missing a bunch of players (Jonathan Drouin, Gabriel Landeskog, Valeri Nichushkin, Ross Colton, & Miles Wood), but may get their star defenseman Cale Makar (23 pts) back in the lineup against the Jets. Other Colorado players to start the year off strong include Nathan MacKinnon (25 pts), Mikko Rantanen (17), and Casey Mittelstadt (15).
Where the Avs have had issues is in the crease, as none of their goaltenders have a save percentage above the .900 mark. Head coach Jared Bednar has already announced that Alexandar Georgiev will start the game and the team will be hoping to improve on his .822 save percentage.
Quite a few unfamiliar names in that Colorado lineup, so Winnipeg should have the upper hand this evening. Lets check out how the two franchises compare head-to-head and then see how ESPN outlines the goalie matchup in the graphics below:
Undoubtedly, the Winnipeg Jets have been the better team to start this year’s campaign, but the Colorado Avalanche can still be very dangerous so our squad will need to play a complete 60 minute game. The top 2 powerplay units in the entire league will be on the ice tonight at Canada Life Centre, so it might end up that the most disciplined squad will come out victorious.
Will the Jets be able to take advantage of a short-handed Avalanche squad tonight? Which Winnipeg player will end up being the team’s star of the game? Lets hear all your thoughts & predictions in the comment section below.
Go Winnipeg!!
