The Winnipeg Jets couldn't have asked for a better start to their lengthy homestand. They'll look to win three in a row for the first time since late December as they take on the visiting Colorado Avalanche.
The Jets began a string of eight straight at home on Friday with a 4-2 win over the defending Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins. Blake Wheeler had a goal and assisted on two third-period tallies by Bryan Little.
Alex Burmistrov also scored and Ondrej Pavelec made 31 saves for the Jets, who have won two in a row and four of their past six. Winnipeg sits two points back of a playoff spot.
Andrew Ladd also tallied an assist and his line drew praise from head coach Claude Noel.
"There was a lot of good performances from a lot of players, pretty much everybody made a contribution," said Noel. "I thought Little's line with Ladd and Wheeler was very good and really carried the offense."
Winnipeg played without defenseman Zach Bogosian, who is doubtful again tonight due to a foot injury.
Colorado concludes a four-game road trip this evening and picked up its first win on the swing with Friday's 3-1 triumph in Edmonton. Mark Olver and Gabriel Landeskog each had a goal and an assist, while Erik Johnson lit the lamp as well. Ryan O'Reilly assisted on all three goals.
"We got the results we were looking for tonight," Colorado head coach Joe Sacco said. "I thought O'Reilly's line had a real good game."
With Jean-Sebastian Giguere day-to-day with a groin injury, Semyon Varlamov got the start and made 26 saves.
Colorado, three points back of a postseason spot, snapped a four-game slide on the road.
The Jets visited the Avalanche on Dec. 27 and notched a 4-1 win, getting a pair of goals from Evander Kane and 32 saves by Pavelec.
Winnipeg has won four of its past six over Colorado.
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