Nichushkin records 1st career hat trick, Avalanche beat Jets 5-1 in Game 4 to take 3-1 series lead

DENVER (AP) — In his postgame on-ice interview, Valeri Nichushkin described his day in as many words as he had goals: “I feel amazing.”

Nichushkin recorded his first career hat trick, Alexandar Georgiev turned in another strong showing and the Avalanche beat the Winnipeg Jets 5-1 in Game 4 on Sunday to move a win away from advancing.

It’s been a roller-coaster season for the 29-year-old Nichushkin, who missed nearly two months earlier this year to receive care from NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. The 6-foot-4, 210-pound fast-moving Nichushkin is getting up to full speed.

“It's hard to stop the big man,” said Artturi Lehkonen, who scored the game's first goal.

Cale Makar also scored for the Avalanche, who grabbed a 3-1 lead in the first-round series. Game 5 is Tuesday night in Winnipeg.

Nichushkin added an empty-netter with 13 seconds left to give him his third goal and his first hat trick in game No. 580 of his NHL career, including regular season and postseason.

“That surprises me. I thought he did have (a hat trick) before this. Pretty cool,” Makar said. “When he's using his body right and skating well, a pretty special player to watch.”

Georgiev was on the hot seat after a shaky Game 1, but his confidence keeps surging with every big save. He stopped 26 shots in the matinee game.

Vezina Trophy-favorite Connor Hellebuyck continues to struggle in net. He allowed four goals on 30 shots before being replaced by Laurent Brossoit for the third period. Hellebuyck has surrendered 19 goals in the series.

“I don’t think those goals are his fault,” forward Mark Scheifele said of Hellebuyck. “He’s our backbone. He’s our heart and soul.”

Lehkonen and Nichushkin have both scored in all four games of the series. Makar had a goal and an assist Sunday to give him 73 points (18 goals, 55 assists) in 65 career playoff games. It’s the second-highest points per game average (1.12) by a defenseman in postseason history, behind only Bobby Orr (1.24).

Makar's goal was a masterpiece as he took the puck deep in his zone, weaved through several Winnipeg defenders, found some open space and lined a shot past Hellebuyck.

“He’s the best for a reason,” teammate Casey Mittelstadt said of Makar. “That’s what he does.”

Nathan MacKinnon added two assists.

Nate Schmidt scored for Winnipeg.

There was a scary moment in the third period when Winnipeg forward Vladislav Namestnikov was hit in the left side of his face by a puck. Namestnikov was trying to jump out of the way of a shot from teammate Nate Schmidt when the puck hit a stick and struck him. Namestnikov stayed down on the ice as trainers rushed out. He skated off with help, a towel pressed to his head, and exited through the Avalanche bench. He was taken to the hospital for further evaluation.

On Friday, Jets defenseman Brenden Dillon suffered a laceration on his hand after appearing to be cut by a skate blade during a scrum following the final horn in Colorado's 6-2 win Friday.

The Jets committed four penalties in the second, helping the Avalanche break open the game with a three-goal period. Nichushkin cashed in by scoring a pair of power-play goals to give Colorado a 4-1 lead.

“We've got to change our game plan," Nino Niederreiter said.

Jets coach Rick Bowness had another suggestion — stay out of the penalty box.

“The problems are self-inflicted,” Bowness said. “Penalties took us out of the game."

Avalanche forward Nikolai Kovalenko made his NHL debut after being recalled from the Colorado Eagles of the American Hockey League. Kovalenko became the sixth Avalanche/Quebec Nordiques player to make his league debut in the postseason.

Kovalenko’s father, Andrei, was a member of the Avalanche when the team moved to Denver for the 1995-96 season. Andrei Kovalenko was part of the trade that helped the Avalanche acquire Hall of Fame goaltender Patrick Roy from Montreal in December 1995.

This was a rare home playoff matinee game for the Avalanche. The last time they hosted an afternoon postseason contest was on April 17, 2004, against Dallas in Game 5 of the Western Conference quarterfinals. Colorado won 5-1.

No time to think about this win, though.

“Job’s not finished,” Lehkonen said.

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Colorado Avalanche goaltender Alexandar Georgiev, right, deflects a shot as Winnipeg Jets center Tyler Toffoli, left, looks on in the third period of Game 4 of an NHL Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Alexandar Georgiev, front, clears the puck as Winnipeg Jets center Tyler Toffoli looks on in the third period of Game 4 of an NHL Stanley Cup first-round playoff series, Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Winnipeg Jets hesd coach Rick Bowness, top, confers with center Mark Scheifele (55) in the third period of Game 4 of an NHL Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche, Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Winnipeg Jets left wing Kyle Connor, right, collects the puck as Colorado Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews covers in the third period of Game 4 of an NHL Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Winnipeg Jets center Adam Lowry, left, center Mason Appleton, center, and left wing Axel Jonsson-Fjallby, right, look on as time runs out in the third period of Game 4 of an NHL Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche, Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, right, collects the puck as Winnipeg Jets left wing Alex Iafallo, left, defends in the third period of Game 4 of an NHL Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Laurent Brossoit, left, makes a glove-save of a redirected shot by Colorado Avalanche right wing Valeri Nichushkin (13) in the third period of Game 4 of an NHL Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Winnipeg Jets left wing Kyle Connor, front left, collects the puck between Colorado Avalanche center Casey Mittelstadt, back left, and defenseman Josh Manson, right, in the second period of Game 4 of an NHL Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, center, stops a shot by Colorado Avalanche right wing Brandon Duhaime (12) in the second period of Game 4 of an NHL Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar, center top, directs his team in the second period of Game 4 of an NHL Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against he Winnipeg Jets Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, right, allows in a goal on a shot by Colorado Avalanche left wing Artturi Lehkonen (not shown) as Jets defenseman Logan Stanley (64) looks on in the first period of Game 4 of an NHL Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Avalanche left wing Artturi Lehkonen, front left, celebrates after scoring a goal with left wing Zach Parise, back left, and defenseman Sean Walker, right, in the first period of Game 4 of an NHL Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the Winnipeg Jets, Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Alexandar Georgiev stops a shot in the first period of Game 4 of an NHL Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the Winnipeg Jets, Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar, left, collects the puck with Winnipeg Jets center Adam Lowry, right, in pursuit in the second period of Game 4 of an NHL Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

BALTIMORE (AP) — Toronto manager John Schneider was encouraged by his team's improved health.

But a rainout probably wasn't the worst thing.

The Blue Jays' game against the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday night was postponed because of rain. It was called about an hour before the scheduled start time and is set to be made up as part of a July 29 doubleheader in Baltimore.

The teams have a game scheduled Wednesday at 12:35 p.m., although rain is expected that day as well. The Orioles announced that starter Kyle Bradish (0-0) would simply be pushed back from Tuesday to Wednesday.

The Blue Jays were without outfielders George Springer and Kevin Kiermaier and third baseman Justin Turner in Monday night's 3-2 win in 10 innings. Those three have been dealing with illness, although Kiermaier was set to start Tuesday and play the field.

Catcher Danny Jansen, who missed Monday's game because of back spasms, was also penciled into the starting lineup before Tuesday's game was called.

The postponement announcement came about a half-hour after Schneider spoke to reporters. When asked about the prospect of a rain delay and a late night at the ballpark, followed by an early afternoon game Wednesday, he didn't sound too concerned.

“That's nothing compared to what we've been through," he said. "If we're here all night, great. I think we're all kind of past that right now. We're ready to go whenever the game does start, if it does."

It didn't.

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The tarp covers the field as the baseball game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Toronto Blue Jays was postponed due to weather, Tuesday, May 14, 2024, in Baltimore. The game will be made up as part of a traditional doubleheader on Monday, July 29. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)