Thomas' Three Storylines - COL @ WPG

HOME SWEET HOME
After a long time away and finishing the four-game eastern road trip 1-3, the Winnipeg Jets arrive back in the Manitoba capital still in second spot in the division, one point back of the Dallas Stars. Hopefully playing five of the next six games on home ice should get the Jets back to playing more consistent hockey. There is no question the Jets are a skilled team with a lot of firepower up front and on the blueline. But the key area where they need to get back to is defending well for a full 60 minutes. They will have their hands full with the defending Stanley Cup champion Avalanche here in Winnipeg tonight.

CENTRAL SHOWDOWN
Although the term gets used a lot, it's easy to say with tonight's Winnipeg and Colorado battle that this is the biggest game of the year so far. The Avalanche have fought off numerous injuries to key players to pull themselves within four points of the second place Jets in the Central. Colorado has gone 11-2-2 in their last 15 games but the Jets have won the first two games of the season series. Buckle up, it's going to be a big night at Canada Life Centre.
LEAN ON HELLY
The Jets number one goaltender was outstanding on their four-game road trip playing all three games in the New York area. With the race for positioning in the Central getting tighter and tighter each night, Winnipeg will be counting on Connor Hellebuyck a lot over the next 24 games. The 29-year-old has been lights out at home as well, going 16-7-0 with 1.98 goals against average, .935 save percentage and three shutouts. One of those shutouts was a 40 save performance against the Avalanche back on November 29th.