Summary: Avalanche 4 – Jets 2
The Colorado Avalanche look to end their first-round series against the Winnipeg Jets tonight in Game 5.
The Jets were lucky to start the game and they certainly weren’t going to turn it down. Wanting to clear the puck from his semi-circle, Josh Manson sent it against Artturi Lehkonen and the disc ended up in the back of the net. Kyle Connor was awarded the goal that opened the scoring.
The Avalanche’s response came just two minutes later. Valeri Nichushkin beat Connor Hellebuyck with a one-timer for his seventh goal of the series. He scored a goal in each of the five matches.
Forward Cole Perfetti and defenseman Colin Miller will both make their playoff debuts for the Jets.
Perfetti, who is 22, last played in the regular season finale against the Vancouver Canucks, but was not included in the lineup for the first four games.
The Ontarian scored 19 goals and collected 38 points in 71 regular season games.
The Jets, who are facing elimination, will be without forward Mark Barron and defenseman Brenden Dillon, who are both injured
Miller, 31, scored four goals and nine points in 46 games during the regular season with the New Jersey Devils and Jets. Winnipeg acquired Miller at the trade deadline for a fourth-round pick.
After a seven-goal outburst in a victory in the series opener, the Jets’ offense has slowed down considerably, generating just five goals in the Jets’ three straight losses.
If a sixth game were to take place in this series, it would be held Thursday evening.
