Game Preview: Colorado and Winnipeg Face Off to Ring In the New Year

Happy New Year's Eve, Avs Faithful!

To close out 2024, the Colorado Avalanche will host the Winnipeg Jets on New Year's Eve, the second of four meetings between the division rivals. Winnipeg currently holds first place in the league standings while the Avalanche sit at 11th. A win tonight could put the Avalanche above a .600 points % for the first time this 2024-25 season.

Mackenzie Blackwood starts in net for the Avalanche donning a new helmet. While a lot of thought went into backup netminder Scott Wedgewood's helmet, Blackwood simply told his artist to "do something cool." It's safe to say that his request was accomplished.

The Jets are playing the second game of a back-to-back, having blanked the Nashville Predators 3-1 on Monday night. The team did not have a morning skate today, so no confirmation on who will start in the net just yet, but seeing as Hellebuyck held things down in the crease last night, Eric Comrie should get the nod tonight.

That leads perfectly into the 3 Keys to getting down the mountain for the Avalanche tonight.

1.) Don't Let the Jets Take Off

With a two-goal game from Gabe Vilardi in last night's third period, the Jets have a good amount of momentum coming into tonight's game against the Avalanche.

Not to mention the Jets are 14-0-1 when finishing the first period with a lead, so if the Avalanche can cut this team off, and cut them off early, they have a better chance of finishing 2024 with a win.

That record improves to 19-0-1 when leading after the second period, but when trailing? The Jets are 1-5-0, meaning the Avs need to find their early start again tonight, which leads into the second point.

2.) Find the Net Before Midnight

When leading after the first period, the Avalanche have a perfect 9-0-0 record. They have had a better time finding their games early this past month, and to get the jump on the Jets, they'll want to do that again.

Even if they don't have an early start, a consistent game is most important to find a win. If they can bring the momentum from Friday's 4-1 win over the Utah Hockey Club, they'll have no problem finding the net. Speaking of momentum, they'll still be riding the high from Artturi Lehkonen's hat trick as well. Just saying, a flurry of goals (pun intended) would work wonders against this talented Jets team.

3.) Create a Flurry in Front of the Jets' Crease

This Jets team is the best in the league for a reason. Their ability to cause traffic in shooting lanes and shut down incoming teams is an incredible obstacle for the Avs to get around. That, and they have two goaltenders who, despite the 3-5-1 record of backup Comrie, are both very capable of holding down the net.

The more pressure they put on the goaltender, whether it be Hellebuyck or Comrie, the more likely they are to force a mistake out of them and find the back of the net. The Avs need to force turnovers

Where/How to Find the Game:

Puck drop is slated for 6:08 pm Mountain Time.

Tonight is another coveted local Altitude broadcast, and if the game isn't enough incentive to watch tonight, Marc Moser and Mark Rycroft's fancy NYE getups will absolutely do the trick for you.

If radio is more your speed, Connor McGahey will be holding the fort down over on Altitude Sports Radio (92.5 FM).

Make sure you bookmark THN's Colorado Avalanche site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

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