Game 65 Preview: Winnipeg Jets (30-28-7, 67 points) vs. Colorado Avalanche (41-18-5, 87 points)
By Andrew Dill
Dec 29, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) controls the puck during a breakaway in the second period against the Winnipeg Jets at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
The Colorado Avalanche (41-18-5, 87 points) had their four-game winning streak snapped Saturday afternoon at home. The St. Louis Blues came away with the 2-1 win, holding off the Avs late. Colorado would see rookie Nathan MacKinnon‘s 13-game point streak snapped as well. Colorado looks to get back to their winning ways with the Winnipeg Jets in town.
What: NHL Preview: vs.
When: Monday, March 10th
Where: Pepsi Center
Time: 9:00 PM ET, 7:00 PM MT
TV: Altitude Sports
This will be the fourth meeting between the two Central Division clubs as the Colorado Avalanche currently have the upper-hand on the series, leading it 2-1. Winnipeg however is coming off of a win in their most recent meeting back on Dec. 29th, coming away with the 2-1 win via overtime. Blake Wheeler if you remember, scoring the game-winning goal in overtime with just seconds left on the clock. He would also record an assist, as Jets goaltender Al Montoya was solid. He would stop 33-of-34 saves, .971% save percentage.
Here is what head coach Patrick Roy told ColoradoAvalanche.com about the loss to the Blues Saturday.
"“I think we showed a lot of good things out there,” Roy told the team’s official website. “It was a lot different than the last two times we played these guys. We were physical; we had some good body check. It was a good game.“We beat Detroit (on Thursday), but I thought we played better tonight than we played Detroit. Sometimes unfortunately you’re not always rewarded for the way you play and your effort. I thought we had better chances than them. I thought we deserved to win as much as they did.”"
Colorado’s center Paul Stastny was injured in the early goings against the Blues Saturday and currently has no prognosis on his back injury. It seemed as if Colorado’s chemistry and play diminished when Paul left the lineup.
Projected Starting Goaltenders:
Winnipeg Jets: Al Montoya: 10-4-2, 2.12 GAA.
Colorado Avalanche: Semyon Varlamov: 31-12-5, 2.47 GAA.