MacKinnon versus Hellebuyck highlight first-ever playoff meeting between Avalanche and Jets

DENVER (AP) — For the first time, Colorado and Winnipeg will clash in a playoff series.

Still, the Central Division rivals know each other well.

It’s a meeting of possible award winners, with super-fast Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon in the running for the Hart Trophy for NHL MVP, and super-reliable Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck one of the favorites for the Vezina for top netminder.

It's a contrast of styles, too, given the high-flying nature of an Avalanche team that led the league in scoring and the stinginess of the Jets, one of the NHL’s best defenses. Colorado, though, was dealt a blow when Jonathan Drouin was ruled out for the series with a lower-body injury.

Game 1 is Sunday in Winnipeg.

“We feel like the underdogs," said MacKinnon, whose team remains one of the Stanley Cup favorites according to BetMGM Sportsbook.

The Jets dominated the season series against Colorado, going 3-0 and outscoring the Avalanche by a 17-4 margin. That included a 7-0 win a week ago that chased Alexandar Georgiev from the game.

Winnipeg refuses to read too much into it.

“We know they’re a great hockey team,” Jets coach Rick Bowness said. “We know it’s going to be a tough series.”

MacKinnon is coming off a regular season that featured a franchise-record 140 points (51 goals, 89 assists). He also skated 300 miles — the equivalent of more than 11 marathons — according to NHL Stats.

But finding open ice against the Jets will be a challenge. Their defense surrendered just 198 goals this season, which was tied with Florida for the fewest. Colorado is a team that likes to push the pace and led the league with 302 goals.

“It's going to be tough to score but I think for us, it’s our defensive details we need to be strong at,” MacKinnon said.

Locking things down in the crease for the Jets is Hellebuyck, who finished with a .921 save percentage in making 1,656 saves.

In the other net, Georgiev is coming off a season in which he won an NHL-best 38 games, but also surrendered a league-high 183 goals.

Colorado didn't close the season with momentum, going 2-3-1 down the stretch. Then again, the team finished the 2022 season on a 1-5-1 streak before eventually hoisting the Stanley Cup.

“For us,” defenseman Cale Makar said, “it’s just making sure everyone feels like we’re a connected group.”

VAL’S PRESENCE

Colorado forward Valeri Nichushkin finished with 28 goals and 25 assists in a season where he missed nearly two months after entering the player assistance program. He became the second Colorado player to take part in the joint NHLPA/NHL program this season after defenseman Samuel Girard.

Nichushkin was away from the Avalanche in the playoffs last season for what the team explained at the time were personal reasons. He missed the final five postseason games of a first-round loss to Seattle.

MISSING DROUIN

Drouin got hurt when he tripped in the second period Thursday against Edmonton. He won't play in the first round, the team announced Saturday.

The 29-year-old Drouin turned in a career season with 56 points (19 goals, 37 assists) after signing with Colorado over the summer.

“I know he’s crushed right now,” his good friend MacKinnon said.

VEZINA & HELLEBUYCK

Hellebuyck has all 17 of the franchise’s NHL postseason wins. He can become the first netminder in NHL history to record each of a franchise’s first 18 playoff wins. He's currently tied with Georges Vezina, who accumulated Montreal’s first 17 NHL playoff victories from 1918 to 1925, according to NHL Stats.

“We have the best goalie in the league,” Jets defenseman Neal Pionk said.

PARISE'S LAST GO-AROUND

Avalanche forward Zach Parise is chasing after his first title after more than 1,300 total NHL games. When this season concludes, he plans to retire. Not that he's giving it much thought.

“You get so consumed with the games and with the playoffs that you try to be a little more in the present,” Parise said. “Right now it's about Game 1.”

COACHING EXPERIENCE

At 69, Bowness has a chance to become the oldest head coach to win the crown. Only Scotty Bowman and Dick Irvin have won after birthday No. 60, according to league research.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8) and center Nathan MacKinnon (29) celebrate after Makar's goal against the Vegas Golden Knights during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, April 14, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ian Maule)

Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner stops a shot by Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 18, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Seattle Kraken's Pierre-Edouard Bellmare (41) jumps out of the way as a puck is shot on Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Winnipeg, Manitoba on Tuesday April 16, 2024. (Fred Greenslade/The Canadian Press via AP)

Winnipeg Jets' goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) celebrates the win over the Seattle Kraken with Dylan DeMelo (2) after an NHL hockey game in Winnipeg, Manitoba on Tuesday April 16, 2024. (Fred Greenslade/The Canadian Press via AP)

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) and goaltender Alexandar Georgiev (40) congratulate each other after an NHL hockey game against the Minnesota Wild Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Bart Young)

BLAINE, Minn. (AP) — Taylor Pendrith shot a 7-under 64 on Friday to take a two-stroke lead over Matt NeSmith into the weekend in the 3M Open.

Playing in windier afternoon conditions, Pendrith made a 30-foot birdie putt on the par-4 16th and tapped in for another birdie on the par-5 18th. He had a 12-under 130 total at the TPC Twin Cities, playing the first 36 holes without a bogey.

The 33-year-old Canadian won the CJ Cup Byron Nelson in May in Texas for his first PGA Tour title. He tied for fifth last week in the Barracuda Championship in California.

“Today was pretty tricky with the wind, it was blowing pretty hard at times, so my speed was great all day and stayed really patient," Pendrith said. “I didn’t really have many good looks through the first hour I would say of golf and was able to stay patient and make a couple, made a couple longer ones, which was nice.”

NeSmith had a 64 in the morning before wind gusts topping 20 mph hit the course in the afternoon and early evening.

Seeking his first PGA Tour victory, NeSmith lost in a playoff two weeks ago at the ISCO Championship in Kentucky, his lone top-10 finish in 20 prior starts this season. He has missed 11 cuts.

“Patience is key out here whether it be to win golf tournaments, to make cuts, to try and keep your card to try and get in the top 30,” NeSmith said. “I think it pertains to each and every person out here. You never know when you’re going to get hot, you never know when good golf’s coming. Just kind of try and be patient, try and keep calmer heads and you never know what will happen.”

First-round leader Jacob Bridgeman had a 70 to drop three strokes back at 9 under with Andrew Putnam (66). Doug Ghim (64), Lanto Griffin (66), Alex Smalley (65) and Jhonattan Vegas (66) were 8 under.

“I felt like anything under par today was pretty good, especially in the afternoon,” said Bridgeman, one of the last players to tee off Friday. “The wind was blowing really hard in the beginning of the round, caught a little bit of a lull at the end, which was nice. But greens were kind of bumpy from all the traffic. … I stayed patient all day, didn’t really have a whole lot of great chances.”

The event is the second-to-last tournament before the FedEx Cup playoffs begin, with some players near the 70-player cutoff failing to advance to the weekend. Nick Dunlap (64th in the standings), Luke List (71st) and defending champion Lee Hodges (73rd) missed the cut.

Jacob Bridgeman walks on the 10th tee during the second round of the 3M Open golf tournament at the Tournament Players Club, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Blaine, Minn. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Stewart Cink watches his tee shot on the 10th hole during the second round of the 3M Open golf tournament at the Tournament Players Club, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Blaine, Minn. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Kurt Kitayama watches his tee shot on the second hole during the second round of the 3M Open golf tournament at the Tournament Players Club, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Blaine, Minn. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Lanto Griffin watches his tee shot on the second hole during the second round of the 3M Open golf tournament at the Tournament Players Club, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Blaine, Minn. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Andrew Putnam watches his tee shot on the second hole during the second round of the 3M Open golf tournament at the Tournament Players Club, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Blaine, Minn. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Matt NeSmith walks off the 18th green after his putt during the second round of the 3M Open golf tournament at the Tournament Players Club, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Blaine, Minn. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Matt NeSmith watches his tee shot on the second hole during the second round of the 3M Open golf tournament at the Tournament Players Club, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Blaine, Minn. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Taylor Pendrith lines up his putt on the 18th green during the second round of the 3M Open golf tournament at the Tournament Players Club, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Blaine, Minn. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Taylor Pendrith putts on the 18th green during the second round of the 3M Open golf tournament at the Tournament Players Club, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Blaine, Minn. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)