Avalanche vs. Jets: 3 takeaways from Colorado’s Game 3 win

The Avalanche defeated the Jets, 6-2, Friday night in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series. Here are three takeaways from Ball Arena.

GEORGIE! GEORGIE! GEORGIE!

The Ball Arena crowd chanted early and often for their starting goaltender. Alexandar Georgiev delivered. Winnipeg scored twice in the second period. But Georgiev bounced back with a shutout third to keep the Avalanche alive for their rally. His continued rebound from an awful Game 1 performance is becoming the most important Avs storyline this postseason.

Second-line production

Take a bow, Casey Mittelstadt. The second line buzzed behind their trade deadline center with the first goal of the night; Zach Parise ripping home a rebound off a Josh Manson shot attempt. Parise — a 39-year-old veteran seeking his first Stanley Cup —has two goals in his last two playoff games. Mittelstadt later assisted Artturi Lehkonen with a tape-to-tape pass on a rush goal.

Special teams

The Jets led, 2-1, in the second when Josh Morrissey landed a power-play bomb after the Avs failed to capitalize on their own PP chance. But momentum shifted in the third period. Colorado converted two power-play opportunities — goals from Nathan MacKinnon and Valeri Nichushkin — to put Winnipeg away. Winning the special teams battle was a key to the Avalanche victory.

Avalanche 6, Jets 2

What happened: Colorado rallied from an early deficit with strong goaltending and special teams.

What went right: Zach Parise opened the scoring with a rebound goal in the first period. The Avalanche scored two power-play goals in the third period; Nathan MacKinnon (from the point through traffic) and Valeri Nichushkin (wrister from the left circle). Ross Colton tipped in a third-period goal. Devon Toews closed the night with an empty netter.

What went wrong: Winnipeg tied the game with a Tyler Toffoli backhander at the goal line that snuck past Alexandar Georgiev. The Jets led, 2-1, after a Josh Morrissey power-play goal midway through the second period.

Between the pipes: Georgiev made 22-of-24 saves. Winnipeg’s Connor Hellebuyck stopped 34 of Colorado’s 39 shots on goal.

Injury report: Sam Girard (concussion protocol) returned to the lineup. Devon Toews required stitches in the third period after taking a high stick and returned to play.

What’s next: The Avalanche face the Jets, 12:30 p.m. Sunday at Ball Arena for Game 4 of their first-round playoff series.