Avalanche Face Jets in Crucial Central Division Showdown

The Colorado Avalanche (26-16-1) are set to face the Winnipeg Jets (28-12-3) in a pivotal Central Division matchup at Canada Life Centre on Saturday. Puck drop is scheduled for 5:08 p.m. MT, with the Avalanche looking to close the six-point gap between them and the division-leading Jets.

Colorado enters the game riding high after a dominant 6-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild on Thursday. Six different players scored for the Avalanche, including Nathan MacKinnon, who notched his 350th career goal. MacKinnon leads the NHL in points (68) and assists (53), while teammate Mikko Rantanen is tied for second in the league with 25 goals.

The Jets, meanwhile, are coming off a 2-1 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Friday. Despite the setback, Winnipeg remains one of the league’s top teams, thanks in large part to goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. The reigning Vezina Trophy winner boasts a 25-6-2 record with a league-best 2.08 goals-against average.

This marks the third meeting between the teams this season, with each side winning on home ice. The Jets took the first matchup 1-0 on November 7, while the Avalanche responded with a 5-2 victory on December 31. The final regular-season clash between the clubs is set for January 22 in Denver.

Colorado will be without defenseman Samuel Girard for the second straight game due to an upper-body injury. Calvin de Haan is expected to slot in alongside Josh Manson on the second pairing. The Jets, meanwhile, are relatively healthy, with depth forward Mason Appleton being their most notable absence.

With both teams featuring elite goaltending and high-powered offenses, Saturday’s contest promises to be a tightly contested battle with significant implications for the Central Division standings.