HC Scott Arniel criticized himself and his players for their lacklustre effort against Utah HC on Monday. The Jets responded well against an excellent Avalanche team. Connor Hellebuyck turned away 25 of the 27 shots he faced, and MacKenzie Blackwood allowed three goals on 25 Jets shots.

With the Western Conference’s best team in town, Wednesday presented a test for the streaky Avalanche. Colorado flunked.

Linesman Jonny Murray was helped off the ice in the second period after taking a hit to the right leg from Colorado Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews, and he missed most of the remainder of the game.

It has been tough sledding of late for the Colorado Avalanche. Coming into Wednesday night’s contest with the Winnipeg Jets, the team had lost four of its previous six, including a 3-0 shutout at the hands of the Jets on Jan.

Linesman Jonny Murray was helped off the ice in the second period after taking a hit to the right leg from Colorado Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews, but he returned to his duties at the start of the third period.

Winnipeg stands to both rebound and take advantage of a top-heavy Colorado lineup. My Jets vs. Avalanche predictions and NHL picks expect the road underdogs to bark loudest in tonight’s Central Division showdown.

BOTTOM LINE: The Colorado Avalanche play the Winnipeg Jets in a matchup of Central Division opponents. Colorado is 28-19-1 overall with a 7-8-0 record against the Central Division. The Avalanche have a +10 scoring differential, with 159 total goals scored and 149 conceded.

Connor Hellebuyck stopped 22 shots for his sixth shutout of the season as the Winnipeg Jets beat the Colorado Avalanche 3-0.

BOTTOM LINE: The Colorado Avalanche face the Winnipeg Jets in Central Division play on Saturday. Winnipeg has gone 28-12-3 overall with an 11-4-0 record against the Central Division. The Jets have a 14-6-1 record in games they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponents.

DENVER -- Neal Pionk scored 17 seconds into overtime, giving the Winnipeg Jets a 3-2 victory against the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena on Wednesday. Pionk won it with a slap shot from the top of the right face-off circle.

DENVER — The Colorado Avalanche take on the Winnipeg Jets for the second time in two weeks. Coverage of the game begins at 7 p.m. on KTVD Channel 20. The last time these two teams saw each other was on Jan. 11. Winnipeg's goalie, Connor Hellebuyck, made 22 saves against the Avs in a 3-0 shutout. Colorado has gone 2-2 since then.