It’s been a hot minute.

The Colorado Avalanche hadn’t defeated the Winnipeg Jets at Canada Life Centre since April 30, 2024—that’s 330 days, to be exact.

The streak is over.

It didn’t come easy. The Avalanche edged Connor Hellebuyck and the Jets in a tight 3–2 win Thursday night.

Nathan MacKinnon led the way with two goals, bringing his league-leading total to 48 on the season. One came on the power play, as Colorado’s special teams continue to thrive since the Olympic break.

Jack Drury added his ninth of the year, while Martin Nečas, Nazem Kadri, Parker Kelly, and Sam Malinski each recorded an assist. Josh Manson brought a physical edge as well, earning a decisive win in a one-sided fight against Morgan Barron.

Mackenzie Blackwood turned aside 22 shots in the victory.

With the Dallas Stars falling 2–1 to the New York Islanders earlier in the night, Colorado extended its Central Division lead to nine points, now sitting ahead of Dallas 106–97.

On the other side, Mark Scheifele accounted for both goals for Winnipeg, while Hellebuyck was outstanding in defeat with 32 saves.

Colorado controlled much of the early pace, but Hellebuyck stood tall with key stops, including a slick backhand attempt from Manson and a one-timer from Brett Kulak that deflected off Gabriel Landeskog’s skate.

That early momentum stalled at 9:55 when Scheifele blasted a one-timer from the top of the left circle to give Winnipeg a 1–0 lead. A turnover at the point from Nečas sparked the sequence, with Josh Morrissey recovering the puck and quickly moving it to Kyle Connor, who found a wide-open Scheifele.

Drury pulled the Avalanche even with 2:20 remaining, burying a rebound off Malinski’s point shot. The initial wrister kicked out to the slot, and Drury slid it through the five-hole to make it 1–1.

Both teams headed to the intermission tied, with Colorado holding an 11–7 edge in shots.

At 3:20, Kulak was sent off for holding Jonathan Toews, giving Winnipeg its first power play.

After the Avs killed it off, they earned a chance of their own when Gabriel Vilardi was whistled for hooking, but neither side converted.

Late in the period, MacKinnon battled hard around the crease, but Hellebuyck denied multiple attempts. Moments later, Toews made contact with Ross Colton’s hands, and Colorado was awarded its second power play. While the replay suggested a slash, the official call was hooking—much to Toews’ frustration.

Colorado pushed late, but Hellebuyck continued to hold firm, sending the game into the third period still tied.

The Avalanche needed just 13 seconds to capitalize on a carryover power play, as MacKinnon buried his 47th of the season to give Colorado its first lead of the night.

Soon after, Winnipeg went back to the man advantage when Brock Nelson tripped Dylan Samberg.

Midway through the kill, Drury created a shorthanded chance, setting up Kelly at the doorstep, but Hellebuyck came up with another key stop.

Moments after exiting the box, Nelson got loose for a breakaway, but Blackwood answered with a strong save of his own.

On the next shift, Artturi Lehkonen—playing in his first game since March 3—set up MacKinnon for a deft redirect to make it 3–1. Winnipeg challenged for goaltender interference but lost, resulting in a delay-of-game penalty and another Colorado power play.

Just past the midway mark, Valeri Nichushkin generated several Grade-A chances, but Hellebuyck turned them all aside. Seconds later, Nichushkin was called for tripping Scheifele while chasing down a loose puck, sending Winnipeg to its third power play. Frustrated, he slammed his stick on the ice after the whistle.

With 10:20 remaining, Lehkonen turned the puck over at his own blue line, leading to Scheifele’s second of the night—a one-timer off a feed from Cole Perfetti that cut the deficit to one.

Tensions boiled over with just over six minutes left. Manson delivered a hard check on Barron along the boards, drawing a penalty. Barron immediately dropped the gloves, but Manson handled him decisively. The official call remained interference on Manson, and both players were assessed fighting majors.

Shortly after, Devon Toews and Neal Pionk exchanged minors—slashing and unsportsmanlike conduct, respectively.

In the end, Colorado did just enough to close it out, extending its winning streak to four games with 12 remaining on the schedule.

The Avalanche (48-13-10) will face the Jets (30-30-12) in a rematch on Saturday at Ball Arena. Puck drop is set for 5 p.m. local time.