The Winnipeg Jets were back in action tonight, looking to continue to their franchise best start to an NHL season, 12-1-0. After an all around good 3-0 win against the Utah Hockey Club on Tuesday, the attention tonight turned to a matchup against the Colorado Avalanche. This game marked the 1st time these two teams were playing each other since the Avalanche eliminated the Jets in round 1, game 5, of the playoffs last season.

The heritage alternate jerseys were on display tonight, and the Jets continued to use the same lineup that has brought them the success they’ve achieved so far this season. After every game of this incredible start to the season, you can’t help but think, how long can they keep this run going? Well, game number 14 was tonight, and it was another opportunity for the Jets to show the league why they are at the top of the league standings.

1 minute into the 1st period, the Vilardi party got this game started for the home team. A broken play led to a 2 on 1 for the Jets. Mark Scheifele found Gabriel Vilardi, and he made no mistake wristing one past Alexander Georgiev.

Both teams traded chances throughout the 1st, but both goalies stood tall in net. Only 1 penalty occurred in the 1st, and it was to Avalanche forward Artturi Lehkonen. A slash on Rasmus Kupari sent the Jets to the powerplay with just under 2 minutes to go in the 1st.

No goal on this powerplay for the Jets, as they concluded the 1st period with 22 seconds left of man advantage time. Shots on goal after the 1st were 15 to 9 in favour of the Jets, and it was a great overall team effort in the 1st despite only leading by 1. An interesting stat to note in the 1st was that the blocked shots were 8-0 for Colorado, highlighting the Jets being the team getting the better chances in the 1st.

In the 1st 5 minutes of the 2nd period, the Jets continued to push for a 2nd goal. Connor Hellebuyck, sporting a new goalie mask (see article photo), made a few quality saves to keep the Jets in the lead. Shots on goal were 20-13 for the Jets almost halfway through the game, but you were beginning to see the momentum shift a little bit in the Avalanche’s favour.

The Avalanche pressure built up, and they were the team controlling the play for the majority of the 2nd period. A moment of relief from the Avalanche attack occured when Devon Toews tripped Mason Appleton in the Avalanche defensive zone. The Jets went on their 2nd powerplay of the night, but despite some good puck movement (mostly along the boards on the outside), there was no great scoring chances on the man advantage.

Shots on goal after the 2nd period were 24-18 for the Jets, who remained in front with the 1-0 lead. One aspect of the Jets performance through 2 was a strong advantage in the faceoff dot, winning 65% of the draws. Captain Adam Lowry led the way in this stat category, going 6 for 8 on faceoffs at the end of the 2nd period. Going into the 3rd, it was kind of difficult to get a read on who was the better team through 40, as it seemed like the Jets were better in the 1st and the Avalanche were better in the 2nd. I also couldn’t tell if more goals were coming in the 3rd, but I had a feeling that both teams were going to really go for it, especially for that very important next goal.

I was right about both teams going for it right out of the gate in the 3rd. However, the team that really went for it was the team who had the better 2nd period, the Avalanche. Connor Hellebuyck made a few incredible saves, and the shots on goal were 8-1 for the Avalanche after 6 minutes. Hellebuyck was in Vezina form tonight, and the shots on goal were suddenly evened up at 25 each.

With 10 minutes to play, it felt like the Jets were pretty lucky to still have the lead. They weren’t playing “bad” in any particular way, but it was Hellebuyck standing tall in net as the Avalanche continued to try to tie up this game. A few chances would ensue for the Jets as the period went on, including a 2 on 1 that was robbed by Georgiev as he went side to side. Both goalies were on their A game tonight, and it was still 1-0 Jets with 2 1/2 minutes left to play.

The Avalanche pulled their goalie, and sent out their 6 best skaters on the ice. The Jets shut it down for just over a minute, before Josh Morrissey took a holding penalty against Mikko Rantanen. A 6 on 4 was coming up for the Avalanche with 1:10 remaining. The Avalanche gained control off the draw, but after some time the Jets got the puck down the ice, where Morgan Barron almost sealed the deal with an empty netter.

The Avalanche kept on trying to set up a prime scoring chance, but the Jets shut them down. Hellebuyck was perfect again tonight, and the Jets won this game 1-0. A 35 save performance earned Hellebuyck his 3rd shutout of the young season, and his 2nd straight game without allowing a goal. Final shots on goal were 35-28 in favour of the Avalanche.

It’s pretty obvious who were the 3 stars in tonight’s game. Vilardi #3 with the only goal of the game at the 1 minute mark, Georgiev #2 with 27 saves, and Hellebuyck #1 with another terrific performance, making 35 saves.

Not much else needs to be said about this game, other than the Jets incredible start to the season continues. The Jets join the 2007-08 Ottawa Senators as the only teams in NHL history to win 13 of their first 14 games of an NHL season.

The Jets conclude their 4 game home stand on Saturday afternoon against the Dallas Stars. It’s going to be another tough matchup for the Jets, but with the way they’re playing right now, it’s a tough game for any team facing this Jets team right now. Puck drop is at 2:00 pm CT, and as always stay tuned for pre and post game articles here on Jets Nation.