2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs: Winnipeg Jets vs Colorado Avalanche pre-game 3 report

After a few days between games the Jets and Avs series resumes with game 3 tonight in Denver with the series knotted up at 1-1. Winnipeg hit the ice for practice on Thursday, and while head coach Rick Bowness wasn’t revealing any secrets, he appeared to tip his hand as it was reported that Nate Schmidt was back to being paired up with Dylan Samberg.

The Avs were the best team on home ice during the regular season compiling a 31-9-1 record although it is worth noting that two of those regulation losses came at the hands of these Jets so Winnipeg knows what it takes to win at Ball Arena.

The biggest question mark is will we see a return to the defensive structure that Winnipeg employed so well during the regular season?

Morning skate news:

As expected Nate Schmidt will return to the lineup as per Murat Ates of The Athletic Winnipeg who has him paired up with Dylan Samberg.

Lines & D pairs:

Connor-Scheifele-Vilardi
Ehlers-Monahan-Toffoli
Niederrieter-Lowry-Appleton
Gustafsson-Namestnikov-Iafallo

Morrissey-DeMelo
Dillon-Pionk
Samberg-Schmidt

Hellebuyck

Player/Coach media:

Up Next:

Puck drop is at 9 pm CDT. Be sure to head over to illegalcurve.com following the game for a recap of the action. Reminder to join us on the Illegal Curve Post-Game Show following the final buzzer between the Jets and Avalanche. As well you are welcome to join us for puck drop at Boston Pizza on Taylor Avenue followed by a live version of the show.