The Winnipeg Jets (2-0-1) host the Colorado Avalanche (2-2-0) at Canada Life Centre on Wednesday, October 7, looking to build on the quicker, more purposeful third-period play that helped them beat Pittsburgh 3-2 on Monday night.

Alex Iafallo finished with a goal and an assist against the Penguins, while Adam Lowry and Cole Perfetti also scored. Winnipeg’s starter against Colorado remains unconfirmed. Clay Stevenson was in goal for Monday’s 3-2 victory over Pittsburgh. Stuart Skinner was in goal for the Jets’ first two games of the season (an overtime loss vs. Boston and a regulation win in Detroit), so we will see which way the Jets decide to go tonight.

The Avalanche will be without Zachary L’Heureux and Logan O’Connor, both listed as out with lower-body injuries.

Winnipeg outshot Pittsburgh 34-32, but the shot totals are only part of the takeaway from that game. The third-period improvement gives the Jets a useful template to follow tonight: quicker puck movement and pressure below the goal line, where they can establish a forecheck and create opportunities off the rush. Against Colorado, the aim should be to make the Avalanche spend more time defending rather than turning possession into attacks up the ice.

The Jets can’t approach this matchup as a scoring contest between a handful of players (true of any game, but especially true with the firepower the Avalanche possess). Getting meaningful offensive shifts throughout the lineup would help spread the workload against an opponent coming off a decisive win in Colorado.

The response after Pittsburgh’s equalizer on Monday night was especially encouraging. Cole Perfetti scored the winner just nine seconds later on a wrist shot, with Josh Morrissey picking up an assist. That immediate answer was as important to the result as the broader improvement in pace, and it gives the Jets a positive example to carry forward without assuming another late winner will follow.

Colorado arrives after a 6-1 win over St. Louis on Saturday, October 3, when the Avalanche outshot the Blues 36-26. Martin Nečas scored twice and added an assist, while Nathan MacKinnon had three assists.

That production makes both players obvious priorities for Winnipeg’s defensive attention. The Jets need support around the puck and coverage behind the play, especially when their forecheck does not produce a turnover. Monday’s improvement offers a starting point, not a guarantee that the same approach will work against Colorado’s dangerous offensive players. The challenge is pairing quicker execution with responsible decisions rather than chasing speed at the expense of coverage.

Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, October 7, at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg.