{"id":440181,"date":"2024-04-23T13:52:37","date_gmt":"2024-04-23T17:52:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=440181"},"modified":"2024-04-23T13:52:37","modified_gmt":"2024-04-23T17:52:37","slug":"few-storylines-game-2-for-colorado-avalanche-vs-winnipeg-jets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2024\/04\/23\/few-storylines-game-2-for-colorado-avalanche-vs-winnipeg-jets\/","title":{"rendered":"A Few Storylines in Game 2 for the Colorado Avalanche vs the Winnipeg Jets"},"content":{"rendered":"

Heading into game two of their 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Western Conference Quarterfinal Series against the Colorado Avalanche<\/a>, the Winnipeg Jets<\/a> look to go up 2-0 after a wild game one that finished 7-6. Storylines ahead of game\u00a0<\/span>two,<\/span>\u00a0are the magnificent whiteout, Connor Hellebuyck<\/a>‘s performance, and Cole Perfetti<\/a>‘s status. Let’s\u00a0<\/span>take a<\/span>\u00a0look at these thoughts ahead of game two kicking off.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Winnipeg Jets Riding the Whiteout Wave Again for Game 2 Tonight<\/h2>\n

What can we say about the magic of the\u00a0<\/span>wonderful<\/span>\u00a0whiteout? Having all the Winnipeg Jet faithful rocking their finest whites, the Canada Life Centre comes alive.\u00a0<\/span>Not to mention all the followers outside the arena.<\/span>\u00a0What an atmosphere! Jared Bednar\u00a0<\/span>described it<\/span><\/a>\u00a0simply\u00a0<\/span>“It<\/span>\u00a0gave me goosebumps as a coach.” Talk about being in the opponent’s kitchen if that’s their head coach’s reaction.\u00a0<\/span>Whatever the\u00a0<\/span>impact of the club, the Jets definitely<\/span>\u00a0seemed to ride the momentum.<\/span>\u00a0They would score four consecutive in game one to go up 6-3 at 5:51 into the third period thanks to a Kyle Connor<\/a> power play goal. When you have a the goaltending that they are accustomed to having, that was more than enough.<\/span><\/p>\n

Anything but a Battle of Goaltending<\/h3>\n

One part of the Jets game that they’d like to be better at is\u00a0<\/span>defensively<\/span>\u00a0since they did surrender six goals. However, as goaltender Connor Hellebuyck\u00a0<\/span>suggested<\/span><\/a>: “This time of year, who cares about stats, really?” As he seemed\u00a0<\/span>off-put<\/span>\u00a0the reporter would suggest it mattered, given the team came away with the game-one victory. Really\u00a0<\/span>he<\/span> has a point. Also, to his defence, he does have a point since Colorado did come back to make the game seem closer than it probably should have been. Makar made it 7-5 with over seven and a half minutes <\/span>to go<\/span>. In addition, they didn’t get it within one, until 30 seconds remaining, thanks to Casey Mittelstadt<\/a>. Hellebuyck did have 40 saves in the win, which is still a\u00a0<\/span>strong<\/span>\u00a0number. Look for Winnipeg Jets Head Coach Rick Bowness<\/a> to\u00a0<\/span>come up with<\/span>\u00a0a much more stingy, defensive game plan in game 2.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Notes in the Avs Net<\/h3>\n

Quickly on the other side of the puck, the Colorado Avalanche goaltending situation is less steady. Alexander Georgiev had a\u00a0<\/span>difficult<\/span>\u00a0outing\u00a0<\/span>allowing<\/span>\u00a0all seven Jet goals on just 23 shots. Or a .696 SV%. However, to compound the issue,\u00a0<\/span>it seems<\/span>\u00a0their backup goalie, Justus Annunen<\/a>, was unavailable in game one. Based on game day practice reports, Ivan Prosvetov<\/a> will be backing up Georgiev in tonight’s game. Could goaltending be the Achilles heel of the Avalanche? Quite possibly. One thing is for\u00a0<\/span>sure,<\/span>\u00a0Georgiev needs to have a big game to instill confidence in his teammates and coach.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Greetings from #Avs<\/a> morning skate for GM2 in Winnipeg. <\/p>\n

Georgiev & Prosvetov are here (Annunen is not). Girard in a non-PP jersey. Landeskog in assistant coach mode. pic.twitter.com\/O7wSMwJSBr<\/a><\/p>\n

— Kyle Fredrickson (@kylefredrickson) April 23, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n