The Winnipeg Jets (17-18-5) will try to build off a big divisional win when they face the Colorado Avalanche (23-11-3), a team that is playing some of their most inconsistent hockey all season.
Dec 12, 2013; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Winnipeg Jets forward
Bryan Little(18) drives to the net looking for a rebound on Colorado Avalanche goalie
Semyon Varlamov(1) during the overtime period at the MTS Center. Colorado wins 4-3 overtime. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports
The Jets got back to business after the Christmas break, winning a rare divisional battle against the Minnesota Wild on Friday. The Avalanche haven’t had such luck, losing their last three straight games, and only taking three wins of their last 10. The Avalanche were thumped in their most recent game, a 7-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks. The Avalanche lead the 5-game season series 2-0, although the Jets picked up a single point in their last game, a 5-4 shootout victory for the Avalanche at the MTS Centre.
The Jets will see Al Montoya start between the pipes, after starting goalie Ondrej Pavelec was unexceptional in his last two showings. Montoya made 22 saves in the Jets’ victory over the Wild, relieving Pavelec after only 8 minutes. Pavelec has averaged a 2.14 GAA and a .923 SV% in 11 games. At the other end will be Semyon Varlamov, who filled in the final 20:00 in the Avs’ loss to the Blackhawks on Friday. Varlamov has a .926% Save Percentage and a 2.37 GAA in 28 appearances this season.
The Jets will have both Zach Bogosian and Mark Stuart in the lineup on Sunday, as Head Coach Claude Noel gave them the green-light in the morning. The Jets will still be without Jim Slater (Blood Clot), Paul Postma (Hernia), and Matt Halischuk (Broken Arm) who are all on Injured Reserve. The Avalanche will miss the presence of Alex Tanguay (Knee) who has been on the IR for over a month.
You can watch tonight’s game on TSN Jets, or listen live on TSN 1290 radio. Puck drop from the Pepsi Center is at 7:00 PM Central Time.
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