Winnipeg Jets fall 5-2 to Avalanche in pre-season finale

The Winnipeg Jets ended their exhibition schedule on a losing note Friday night, dropping a 5-2 decision to the Colorado Avalanche in Denver. The result leaves Winnipeg with a 1-3 record through four pre-season games as the club shifts its focus to the regular season.

Jets strike first but can’t hold momentum

Winnipeg opened the scoring in the first period when Nino Niederreiter converted on the power play, giving the visitors an early advantage. After Colorado pulled even, Vladislav Namestnikov restored the Jets’ lead in the second period to briefly put them back in front.

From that point on, however, the game tilted toward the Avalanche. Colorado responded with four unanswered goals over the final period and a half, erasing Winnipeg’s lead and taking full control of the contest. The Jets were unable to generate a comeback of their own as the home side pulled away.

Hughes dominates for Colorado, Skinner goes the distance

Avalanche prospect T.J. Hughes put together a standout performance, finishing the night with a hat trick and four points. He had a hand in all but one of Colorado’s goals, underscoring his impact in the offensive zone. Hughes, a University of Michigan product, saw brief action last season with the AHL’s Colorado Eagles, where he registered a goal and an assist in two games.

Cale Makar and Jaden Schwartz added the other goals for the Avalanche to round out the scoring. For Winnipeg, presumptive opening-night starter Stuart Skinner played the full 60 minutes, facing 32 shots and allowing four goals for a .875 save percentage.

Attention turns to regular season opener vs. Bruins

With the pre-season now complete, the Jets will quickly pivot to preparations for their first meaningful game of the year. Winnipeg opens its regular season schedule on Oct. 2 against the Boston Bruins, a matchup that will offer an early look at how the group responds after a challenging exhibition slate in terms of results.

The pre-season record will not follow the Jets into the standings, but the lessons from four games, including Friday’s loss in Denver, will shape how the team approaches the opening stretch of the regular season.