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Avalanche shine on power play in 6–2 win over Winnipeg

  
power play
Casey Mittelstadt, Zach Parise, Samuel Girard and Josh Manson celebrate a goal against the Winnipeg Jets in Game Three of the First Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Ball Arena on April 26, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo courtesy Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)

Capitalizing on the power play made all the difference for the Colorado Avalanche in game three against the Winnipeg Jets. It also helped that the Avalanche played at home at Ball Arena. 

This is Colorado’s first post-season series that they started on the road since 2019. With Alexandar Georgiev sporting a 42–15–7 record at home, this game was set in favor of the Avalanche. Colorado now leads the series 2–1.

First period

The first period was a quiet one for both teams. It wasn’t until 11 minutes in that Zach Parise lit the lamp. He scored his second goal of the series after notching one in the second period of Tuesday’s game.

Josh Manson, who secured his second assist this post-season, and Casey Mittelstadt, with his first, assisted Parise.

Second period

This is where the Avalanche got shaky. Only five minutes into the second frame, Tyler Toffoli of the Jets made it 1–1. Dylan Demelo and Nikolaj Ehlers both picked up their first assists of the series and assisted him.

The Jets opened the power play, scoring after Mittelstadt was called two minutes for hooking. Josh Morrissey, with a slap shot from March Scheifele and Sean Monahan, made its way past Georgiev.

The Avalanche left the second frame trailing 2–1.

Third period

Two minutes into the last frame of the night, Nathan MacKinnon recorded his second goal of the post-season to tie it at 2. Mikko Rantanen, who has four assists so far, and Cale Makar, who has five, assisted MacKinnon.

Devon Toews gets an unfortunate high stick to the face, which results in him heading to the locker room. Gabriel Vilardi served a double-minor for this, allowing the Avalanche another power play opportunity.

Valeri Nichushkin wastes no time from the near side shoving it past three Jets, including goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. Both Rantanen and MacKinnon earn a multi-point night.

With all the momentum swaying in favor of the Avalanche, Artturi Lehkonen scored eight minutes in. He received help from Mittelstadt and Toews, who returned from the locker room minutes after his departure.

 

The Avalanche continued to apply pressure, and the Jets crumble. Neal Pionk from Winnipeg threw a puck over the glass, which resulted in another Avalanche power play.

Ross Colton took advantage of the extra man and the redirect and shoved the puck past Hellebuyck. Mittelstadt picked up his third assist of the night and Sam Girard, his first.

To end the game, the Jets pulled Hellebuyck, which allowed Toews an empty-net, short-handed goal, making the final score, 6–2.

Takeaways

The Avalanche continue to prove their love of playing at home and having the extra man advantage. They will be back at Ball Arena on Sunday for a matinee game, before heading back to Winnipeg for game five on April 30th.

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