Avalanche vs. Jets, Game 81: Lines, Starting Goalies & How to Watch

Thursday night’s game might not mean anything to the Winnipeg Jets, but it means a lot to the Colorado Avalanche.

After the Dallas Stars won again on Wednesday night, the Avalanche dropped down to second in the Central Division…for now. If they win both of their remaining games, they will win the Division. It’ll be difficult to find any excuses if they lose on Thursday.

The Jets will be sitting a lot of their best players on Thursday against the Avalanche, as they have nothing to play for. They are locked into that final wild card spot and can’t move, so they’re not looking to risk any injury. David Rittich will start in net for them.

For the Avalanche, they will get a big boost up front, as Artturi Lehkonen, who is the third leading goal scorer on the team, will return from his broken finger. It was an optional morning skate for the team, so there was no indication on where he would play in the lineup, but don’t be surprised if he’s right back on the top line with Nathan MacKinnon.

Alexandar Georgiev was the first goaltender off the ice, indicating he will likely start for Colorado. Expect Pavel Francouz to play the regular season finale on Friday.

Expected Colorado Avalanche Lines

Artturi Lehkonen – Nathan MacKinnon – Mikko Rantanen

Evan Rodrigues – J.T. Compher – Valeri Nichushkin

Matt Nieto – Andrew Cogliano – Logan O’Connor

Alex Newhook – Lars Eller – Denis Malgin

Defense

Devon Toews – Samuel Girard

Jack Johnson – Bowen Byram

Brad Hunt – Erik Johnson

Goalies

Alexandar Georgiev

Pavel Francouz

Expected Winnipeg Jets Lines, per DailyFaceoff.com

Connor – Namestnikov – Niederreiter

Barron – Lowry – Appleton

Kuhlman – Stenlund – Maenalanen

Toninato – Gustafsson – Jonsson-Fjallby

Defense:

Dillon – Demelo

Samberg – Pionk

Stanley – Capobianco

Goalies:

Rittich

Special Teams

Colorado Avalanche Power Play: 24.8%, 6th in NHL

Colorado Avalanche Penalty Kill: 79%, 17th in NHL

Winnipeg Jets Power Play: 19.5%, 22nd in NHL

Winnipeg Jets Penalty Kill: 82.6%, 4th in NHL

How to Watch

TV: ESPN+, Altitude

Radio: Altitude Sports Radio 92.5

Game Time: 6:00 PM MST