Jets Edge Avalanche in Tight Western Conference Matchup

Late goal by Cole Perfetti lifts Winnipeg over Colorado in key playoff race clash.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 6:13am

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Cole Perfetti scored the go-ahead goal with 5:11 left in the third period, Connor Hellebuyck made 21 saves, and the Winnipeg Jets defeated the Colorado Avalanche 4-2 in Denver. The win moves the Jets within three points of Nashville for the second wild card spot in the Western Conference playoff race.

Why it matters

This was a crucial game for the Jets as they look to secure a postseason berth, while the Avalanche are battling to maintain their lead atop the West. The tight contest highlighted the intensity of the Western Conference playoff race.

The details

Winnipeg opened the scoring on a first-period goal by Gabriel Vilardi, but Colorado tied it on a power-play tally from Brock Nelson. The Jets regained the lead in the second on a goal by Cole Koepke, only to see Parker Kelly even the score again for the Avalanche. In the third, Perfetti's late redirection proved to be the game-winner for the Jets, who also got an empty-net goal from Kyle Connor to seal the victory.

  • The game was played on March 29, 2026 in Denver.
  • Perfetti scored the go-ahead goal with 5:11 remaining in the third period.

The players

Cole Perfetti

The Winnipeg Jets forward scored the decisive late goal to lift his team to victory.

Connor Hellebuyck

The Jets goaltender made 21 saves to backstop his team to the win.

Brock Nelson

The Colorado Avalanche forward scored a power-play goal to tie the game in the first period.

Cale Makar

The Avalanche defenseman recorded his 500th career point, the fourth fastest by a blueliner in NHL history.

Kyle Connor

The Jets forward sealed the victory with an empty-net goal in the final minutes.

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What they’re saying

“We knew this was a big game for us in the playoff race, and the guys really stepped up in the third period to get the win.”

— Rick Bowness, Winnipeg Jets Head Coach

What’s next

The Jets will look to build on this victory as they continue their push for a postseason berth, while the Avalanche will aim to regain their footing atop the Western Conference standings.

The takeaway

This hard-fought battle between two Western Conference contenders highlighted the intensity of the playoff race, with the Jets delivering a clutch late-game performance to gain ground in the standings.