Avalanche eliminate Winnipeg Jets from playoffs with 6-3 road win
Mikko Rantanen's first two goals of the playoffs propelled the Colorado Avalanche to a 6-3 victory over the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday that clinched their opening-round playoff series in five games.
The Jets became the first Canadian team knocked out of the playoffs after they lost the final four games of the best-of-seven Western Conference series, duplicating their exit in last season's opening round against the Vegas Golden Knights.
Jets players stayed on the ice after handshakes and saluted their whiteout crowd at Canada Life Centre with raised sticks.
Rantanen, who also picked up an assist, scored twice in a span of just under four minutes early in the third period to snap a 3-3 tie.
Valeri Nichushkin, Yakov Trenin, Artturi Lehkonen and Josh Manson, with an empty-netter, also scored for the Avalanche. Nathan MacKinnon and Devon Toews each picked up a pair of assists.
Alexandar Georgiev made 33 saves for Colorado, which plays the winner of the Dallas Stars and Vegas Golden Knights series in the second round.
It was the first time Colorado and Winnipeg met in the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Jets had finished the regular season in second place in the Central Division, three points up on the Avalanche. Winnipeg had swept their season series 3-0.
Kyle Connor, Josh Morrissey and Tyler Toffoli scored for the Jets. Vezina Trophy nominee Connor Hellebuyck stopped 26 of the 31 shots he faced for Winnipeg.
The game was tied 1-1 after a fast-paced first period. Colorado led 3-2 heading into the third.
Connor's first goal of the game had unofficial assists by the Avalanche.
After the Jets winger shot the puck at Georgiev, Manson tried to clear it out of the crease, but it bounced off Lehkonen and into the net at 1:15.
The Avalanche didn't feel bad for too long.
Toews sent a pass across the slot to Nichushkin, who fired a one-timer past Hellebuyck for his team-high seventh goal of the series at 3:18.
The visitors outshot the Jets 13-7 in the opening period.
Trenin recorded his first goal and point of the series when his shot hit the post and he got the puck and flipped it into the net at 5:42 to go ahead 2-1.
Winnipeg went on its first power play a minute later and cashed in on Morrissey's one-timer from the point that blew by Georgiev 14 seconds into the man advantage.
Lehkonen made it 3-2, but this time it was Jets defenceman Neal Pionk who unofficially tallied the marker after the puck hit his stick and went in with 6:15 left in the middle period.
The period ended with the Jets ahead on shots 26-24.
Toffoli tied it 3-3 up at 2:06, but Rantanen recorded his first goal two minutes later at 4:11 and added his second marker at 8:01.
Manson shot into the empty net with two seconds left in the third.
DUBIOUS MARK
The Jets are the first team in NHL history to allow five or more goals in each of their first five games to begin a post-season, according to Sportsnet stats.
The Avalanche outscored the Jets 28-15 during the series, including four empty-netters.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 30, 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Serial sexual offender linked to unsolved 1970s homicides of four Calgary girls, women
An investigation into unsolved historical homicides from the 1970s has linked the deaths of two girls and two young women in and around Calgary to a now-deceased serial offender.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.
Toronto eliminated from PWHL playoffs
Toronto has been eliminated from the PWHL playoffs.
Information commissioner faces $700K funding shortfall, says system is 'overwhelmed'
Canada's information commissioner says her office is facing a $700,000 funding shortfall that could impact its ability to investigate complaints about government transparency and accountability.
B.C. man 'attacked suddenly' by adult grizzly near Alberta boundary: RCMP
A B.C. man is recovering from multiple injuries after he was "attacked suddenly" by an adult grizzly bear near Elkford Thursday afternoon.
Backlash over NFL player Harrison Butker's commencement speech has reached a new level
The NFL is distancing itself from controversial comments by Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker during a recent commencement address.
Dabney Coleman, actor who specialized in curmudgeons, dies at 92
Dabney Coleman, the mustachioed character actor who specialized in smarmy villains like the chauvinist boss in '9 to 5' and the nasty TV director in 'Tootsie,' has died. He was 92.
Craig Berube named as next head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have named Craig Berube as their new head coach.