Winnipeg @ Colorado preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 12, 2019 ) Colorado 4, Winnipeg 0

Two struggling Central Division teams look to end the 2019 portion of their schedules on an upswing Tuesday when the Colorado Avalanche host the Winnipeg Jets. The Avalanche are 2-4-1 in their past seven games following Saturday’s 3-2 shootout loss at Dallas and have allowed five goals or more three times, while the Jets are 1-4-1 in the past six contests and have lost three in a row after Sunday’s 4-1 setback at St. Louis.

Winnipeg’s defense, which has struggled mightily at times this season, has surrendered four or more goals in each of the Jets' past six losses and gave up nine goals in back-to-back losses to St. Louis last weekend. “Playing the defending Stanley Cup champions, you can’t afford to make too many mistakes,” Winnipeg defenseman Neal Pionk told reporters after Sunday’s loss. “We have to learn from it and move on.” Colorado had its chances against Dallas, putting 35 shots on goal from the second period through overtime, but could not hold a 2-1 lead. “I thought it was a pretty well-played game,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar told the media postgame. “Both teams fighting hard for it, and then a shootout, you can flip a coin.”

TV: 8 p.m. ET, TSN3 (Winnipeg), Altitude 2 (Denver)

ABOUT THE JETS (21-15-3): Center Nick Shore scored his first goal since Nov. 23 (while with Toronto) to account for all the Winnipeg offense Sunday, although the Jets hit the post three times - twice in a 10-second span during a first-period power play. Forward Patrik Laine’s three-game point streak ended, but the 21-year-old has 12 points (seven goals) in 12 games this month, and at 23 assists on the season is just five away from his career high. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck fell to 1-3-1 in his past five games Sunday, stopping 24-of-27 shots.

ABOUT THE AVALANCHE (23-12-4): Defenseman Ian Cole’s third goal of the season gave Colorado a 2-1 second-period lead Saturday, extending his point streak to four games and giving him six points (two goals) in his past six games. Center Nathan MacKinnon entered the week fifth in the league in points (56), and has points in nine of his past 11 games (four goals, eight assists). Goaltender Pavel Francouz had his four-game winning streak snapped in Friday’s loss to Minnesota, but is 7-1-1 with a .932 save percentage in his past nine games.

OVERTIME

1. Jets rookie F Jansen Harkins recorded his second assist in his fourth NHL game Sunday.

2. Colorado F Matt Nieto helped set up two tallies Saturday, and owns one goal and two assists in his past three games.

3. MacKinnon finished with two goals and two assists as the Avalanche beat the Jets 4-0 in Winnipeg on Nov. 12.

PREDICTION: Avalanche 4, Jets 2