Colorado Avalanche Need Rebound Win vs Division Rival Jets

The Colorado Avalanche need to get back to their winning ways. No better way to start than against the Central Division rival Winnipeg Jets.

The Colorado Avalanche are facing tribulations. Ever since the New York Islanders game that saw star center Matt Duchene get traded, the team has been on a one-step-forward-two-steps-back trajectory. The team has gone 3-4-2 since that time.

That record includes a three-game losing skid. Right now, they’re at the two-game mark. After falling to the Minnesota Wild in the shootout followed by a regulation loss against the Calgary Flames, the Avs are on the verge of another skid.

To make matters worse, the team’s hottest line has been disrupted due to the NHL Department of Player Safety’s heavy-handed ruling — left wing Gabriel Landeskog has been suspended for four games.

So, the Avalanche need a win against a Central Division rival, the Winnipeg Jets.

The Colorado Avalanche and Winnipeg Jets have faced each other 22 times since the Jets moved from Atlanta. The series have been close — 10-9-3 in Colorado’s favor. Last year Winnipeg took an advantage by beating Colorado three times in five meetings.

The Avalanche are coming off a 3-2 loss to the Calgary Flames, while the Jets are coming off a decisive 7-2 beating of the Minnesota Wild.

How to Enjoy the Game

Game time: November 29, 7:30pm MT
TV Networks: Altitude TV (Avs feed), TSN3 (Jetsfeed)
Radio: Altitude Radio (AM 950)

Players to Watch

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The Winnipeg Jets have two hot players — Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler. Both have 28 points. Scheifele has 12 goals and 16 assists, while Wheeler has six goals and 22 assists. Scheifele had a three-point night (1 goal, 2 assists) against the Wild. Wheeler also had a goal and two assists in that game.

For the Colorado Avalanche, it’s still the Nathan MacKinnon show. He leads the team with 26 points (7 goals, 10 assists). He’s had six points in the last four games.

Colorado Avalanche Youth Movement

The Colorado Avalanche are the second-youngest team in the NHL. On any given night, the team suits up between four to six rookies. They usually throw a couple sophomores into the mix, too.

At the time of writing, it hadn’t been confirmed that the All-Rookie line was going to be a thing. This was supposed to be a college-grown line of three centers — Tyson Jost, Alexander Kerfoot and J.T. Compher.

Whether that line is a thing or not, the Avalanche are in a full-on youth movement. The goal is for the players to “grow up together.” These are young, fast, but sometimes undisciplined players who can be exciting and frustrating at the same time.

Next: All Kids Line Holds Promise

Tonight’s game is the first of four meetings. Colorado will host Winnipeg one more time, on January 2. The Colorado Avalanche will then travel to Winnipeg on February 3 and February 16.