GAMEDAY: Avalanche at Jets

WINNIPEG - The Winnipeg Jets have gone 1-1-2 on their homestand after falling to the Los Angeles Kings 2-1 on Friday night in overtime. The Jets face the Colorado Avalanche in the second game of the back-to-back in a Saturday night matchup at Canada Life Centre.

Despite the loss to the Kings, the Jets were happy with the way they performed in a playoff style contest.

“Yeah, that's a style that I think we're going to see when the games get close and come playoff time, not beating yourself, kind of letting the game come to you and just being okay with the grind. I thought we showed that,” said Jets defenceman Dylan DeMelo.

“I don't think we got outside of ourselves too much. And overtime is a coin flip. So unfortunately, we were just on the other end of it there. But overall, I think we did a lot of good things, some things that we can do better to continue to get inside, maybe get some better-quality looks. But, I mean, overall, that was a very tight game, not a lot both ways for both teams.”

Another positive coming from the loss to the Kings was an impressive performance from Dylan Samberg. The 25-year-old returned after a 21-game absence after breaking his foot blocking a shot back in November. Samberg was a huge part of the Jets penalty kill shutting down a talented Kings power play.

“Yeah, he was fantastic, for sure. He was great on the penalty kill. He made some big blocks. He was great on the breakouts,” said DeMelo.

“And it was like he never left. So, he had a great game for us. And it was a big reason why we were clean with our breakouts.”

The Avalanche arrive having won eight of their last ten games and having beaten the Jets the last time these two teams met in Denver on New Years Eve.

“These guys, if you’re sloppy from blue line to blue line, they transition fast. Whether that’s Makar coming or MacKinnon or Rantanen, those guys can turn it quick. I like the way we managed it last night,” said Scott Arniel.

“It allowed us to get that five-and-a-half (minutes) of zone time or whatever it was. I would like to see us get rewarded with a few more (goals). We’ve got to get inside, we’ve got to get some second and third opportunities. Get some greasy goals and get ourselves going again that way.”

One of the strengths for the Avalanche is the low-to-high play, shot from the point and look for the tip from one of the forwards.

“Take away time and space best we can. And try to be physical and end plays and make sure in that front that we're picking up sticks and trying to get in lanes at the top. Because as a d-man, I know when guys are in the lane, it makes it tough to get pucks through,” said DeMelo.

“So, make sure that we do that first and foremost. and make sure that we do a good job in their D zone when we're in the O-zone holding on to pucks and make sure that they're playing defence, and don't give them any cheap offence.”

STAT(S) OF THE DAY: Mark Scheifele extended his point streak to four games with a goal on Friday night. He has posted two goals and three assists in that span. This is the fourth time this season that he has had a streak last four or more games. Scheifele needs just one more goal to match his total from last season. He is currently on pace for 93 points which would mark a new career high.