Open Thread: Colorado Avalanche vs. Winnipeg Jets (6:00 p.m.)
Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images
It’s a Colorado Avalanche gameday! Tonight is the last night of 2024, and the Colorado Avalanche and Winnipeg Jets are going out with a bang as they are set to face off at Ball Arena in downtown Denver, CO. The Jets have been flying high to start this 2024-25 campaign and find themselves atop the central division with 27 wins and 55 points through 38 games played. It’s been a rocky road to third place for the Avalanche, but the vibe in Colorado is righteous and real as they roll in, having won four in a row and eight of ten games. Who will come out on top tonight?
Colorado Avalanche
The present under the tree might have been healthy (knock on anything resembling wood). Jonathan Drouin appears to be good to go tonight, as he participated fully in yesterday’s practice. He was skating on the second line, but it remains to be seen how Bednar adjusts the lineup with all but Landeskog and Wood from the forward group. The Avs got Josh Manson back last week and are beginning to gain some steam as this group’s depth becomes more consistent and familiar.
As 0f 910 am.... the NHL media website shows this. If they are going to make that move, it would correspond with Drouin coming off of IR (so no one has to be sent back to the AHL). Kylington hasn't even been put on IR yet..... pic.twitter.com/0fL9ooIcOQ— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) December 31, 2024
This is a big game for the Avalanche, who aim to make headway inside the division. To be the best, you have to beat the best. Last year’s Avalanche team made Hellybuyck look human; they can do that again. Everyone will be dressed to impress, and the lights will be on, so naturally, prepare for the MacK attack.
Projected Lineup:
Artturi Lehkonen — Nathan MacKinnon — Valeri NichushkinJonathan Drouin — Ross Colton — Mikko RantanenJoel Kiviranta — Parker Kelly — Logan O’ConnorJere Innala — Casey Mittelstadt — Juuso Parssinen
Devon Toews — Cale MakarSamuel Girard — Josh MansonCalvin de Haan — Sam Malinski
Winnipeg Jets
The Jets’ start has been widely documented, but I can tell you as an economics guy that these things are cyclical, and regression to the mean is always on the table. Maybe the Jets are the exception to the rule, as they are also on a four-game winning streak.
It’s been a great year already for Kyle Connor, who is on fire but pretty under the radar due to playing in Winnipeg. I bet he will go off at the Four-Nations tourney and become more of a household name because of it. Save that for the Four Nations, though!
Kyle Connor is yucky. Dude just went 1 and done at Michigan, scored 35 goals in 38 games there said ok NHL time now he’s just lighting Winnipeg on fire. With all due respect the red wings need him in 2026 pic.twitter.com/DIPY7DM7uV— Rob Gucci (@heatdaddy69420) January 8, 2023
Projected Lineup:
Kyle Connor — Mark Scheifele — Gabriel VilardiCole Perfetti — Vladislav Namestnikov — Nikolaj EhlersNino Niederreiter — Adam Lowry — Alex IafalloMorgan Barron — David Gustafsson — Rasmus Kupari
Josh Morrissey — Dylan DeMeloLogan Stanley — Neal PionkDylan Coghlan — Colin Miller
Goaltenders
Hellebuyck vs. Blackwood, as you already know, both clubs will go with their best between the pipes tonight. Who will win the head-to-head?
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