Game Four Preview: Sunday series matinee matchup
Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
Will the Avs take advantage of home ice and gain a two-game series lead?
The Colorado Avalanche host Game Four against the Winnipeg Jets in this first-round series matchup. It will be the first game of a four-game slate across the Stanley Cup Playoff schedule today, and the Avs will look to start it with a bang.
A win today for Colorado would put the Jets on the brink of elimination, and keep the home-ice advantage they earned from their Game Two win in Manitoba. Or, the series then becomes a best-of-three tied at two games each. Indeed, it is safe to say this is a massive game for both clubs.
Colorado Avalanche
The Avs took their five-goal third period en route to a 6-2 win over the Jets on Friday night in Game Three. It wasn’t easy, especially for the first two periods of the game, but they took over in the end and didn’t let Winnipeg breathe in the final frame.
It was very 2022-esque, with the domination up and down the lineup and players chipping in. Casey Mittelstatdt continued to look great in playoff atmospheres, while contributors like Artturi Lehkonen and Devon Toews stepped up as well in the face of adversity.
Of course, the stars took the spotlight as well with Nathan MacKinnon and Alexandar Georgiev playing up to their respective high levels. Will everyone collaborate in another big team effort for their third win in this series?
Projected Lines
Valeri Nichushkin (13) - Nathan MacKinnon (29) - Mikko Rantanen (96)Artturi Lehkonen (62) - Casey Mittelstadt (37) - Zach Parise (9)Miles Wood (28) - Ross Colton (20) - Joel Kiviranta (94)Andrew Cogliano (11) - Yakov Trenin (73) - Brandon Duhaime (12)
Devon Toews (7) - Cale Makar (8)Sam Girard (49) - Josh Manson (42)Jack Johnson (3) - Sean Walker (26)
Winnipeg Jets
Winnipeg has to be scratching its head, trying to figure out how they let Game Three slip out of their grasp, Up 2-1 after two periods and at least being a step ahead of the home team, they collapsed in disastrous fashion.
They’ll be looking to take fewer penalties, for one. Secondly, taking some more of their chances would be beneficial as well, as they were outworked in their depth.
They may have less of it, as Brenden Dillon received a nasty cut on his hand from an errant skate. While his status is day-to-day, it is unknown if he’ll stay in the lineup or have Logan Stanley slot in. We’ll find out, but nonetheless, can they find their groove again to even the series back up?
Projected Lines
Kyle Connor (81) - Mark Schiefele (55) - Gabriel Vilardi (13)Nikolaj Ehlers (26) - Sean Monahan (23) - Tyler Toffoli (73)Nino Neiderreiter (62) - Adam Lowry (17) - Mason Appleton (22)David Gustafsson (19) - Vladislav Namestnikov (7) - Alex Iafallo (9)
Josh Morrissey (44) - Dylan DeMelo (2)Dylan Samberg (54) - Neal Pionk (4)Logan Stanley (64) - Nate Schmidt (88)
Goaltenders
Understandably so with his recent performances, it will be Georgiev in the crease for Colorado. Meanwhile, expect Connor Hellebuyck to still be in the net for the Jets, but he’ll be looking for any sort of positive performance after giving up at least five goals in each game this series....
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