September 22, 2026 • 3:02 AM EDT
Updated 8 seconds ago
There’s no reason to be rattled about the Colorado Avalanche taking a 3-1 preseason loss to the Winnipeg Jets last night in downtown Winnipeg. Why? Because Colorado sent just eight players who’ll likely make their opening night roster, leaning into the chance to test prospects and fringe skaters instead. Even with Winnipeg holding serve as hosts, this wasn’t a showcase of the Avs’ real firepower, and that matters for anyone tracking preseason results for betting or fantasy prep.
This game was sluggish out of the gate—classic preseason, if you ask me. Both squads kept their star power at home, especially the Avalanche, and as a result, the intensity never really reached midseason form. Winnipeg broke the deadlock first, courtesy of Gabriel Vilardi, who capitalized on a turnover and nifty puck movement from Isak Rosen and Vladislav Namestnikov. That set the tone for what was always going to be an uphill climb for Colorado’s rookies and depth guys.
So, why should you care if you’re thinking about how these preseason games impact regular season odds or who might play their way into a meaningful NHL role? Because preseason spreadsheets don’t tell the full story. The Avalanche staff are giving young skaters their shot in real-game scenarios, and that’s the only environment where management can truly judge who’s ready for a leap or who still needs time. According to Yahoo Sports, just four Avs from this lineup played in their preseason opener—a heavy rotation that spoke volumes about where priorities are right now.
Let’s break down how this one unfolded on the ice. Vilardi drew first blood for the Jets after an Avalanche miscue behind their own net. Isak Rosen fought off two defenders and fed Vilardi in the slot, and suddenly it was 1-0 for Winnipeg. Then, Cole Perfetti doubled the advantage with a tidy finish, capping a sequence that showed Colorado’s makeshift defensive pairings still have work to do. Dylan Demelo blasted home Winnipeg’s third in the third period, and while Colorado finally got on the board with Georgii Merkulov’s goal—set up by Brett Kulak and Fabian Lysell—the game was already out of reach by then.
- Avs dressed only eight projected regulars, prioritizing prospect evaluation.
- Winnipeg took a 3-1 win, controlling play for most of the contest.
- Gabriel Vilardi, Cole Perfetti, and Dylan Demelo scored for the Jets.
- Georgii Merkulov had Colorado’s lone goal, assisted by Lysell and Kulak.
- Goalie Ilya Nabokov allowed two on just five shots, but the defense in front of him wasn’t consistent.
- Only four Avs from the preseason opener played in this game, showing heavy squad rotation.
What jumped out from Colorado’s approach?
One name to circle after this matchup: Fabian Lysell. He picked up an assist—the only one for Colorado—and his potential is clear. The word from camp is that he’s getting plenty of attention and direction on the bench. If that continues, you might see him carving out more responsibility as the regular season approaches. Preseason isn’t just for systems and conditioning, it’s also for reading those coach-player dynamics.
Jets controlled pace, but context matters
You could look at this scoreline and think the Avalanche have major holes, but you’d be missing the context. With so many regulars left out of the lineup, this is less a referendum on Avs’ overall strength and more a stress test for depth. It also means you shouldn’t be overreacting as a bettor—or downgrading their futures outlook after a result like this.
For goaltending, Ilya Nabokov’s numbers didn’t sparkle (allowing two on five shots), but if you watched the Perfetti tally, there’s not much blame you can toss his way. The Avs’ defense was patchwork and that showed. If anything, Nabokov should keep getting ice through the exhibition slate, giving coaches another chance to see if he can adapt to the North American game in meaningful minutes.
Looking ahead, what’s the plan?
Colorado head back home to welcome the Jets again later this week, and you can bet more regular faces will hit the ice when Winnipeg comes to Ball Arena. The preseason grind means you’ll see these auditioning skaters dip in and out, but the real lineup is still in the wings.
Key developments
- Heavily rotated Colorado roster, just four repeat skaters from previous preseason game.
- Lysell’s first significant contribution, earning an assist and closer look from coaches.
- Nabokov’s early struggles put magnifying glass on goalie depth.
- Jets show composure and discipline at home, taking advantage of Avs’ inexperience.
Key takeaways
- Don’t overreact to preseason losses—Colorado’s result reflects roster testing, not regular season strength.
- Youngsters like Fabian Lysell are grabbing precious opportunities to impress coaches and push for NHL roles.
- Goaltending depth for Colorado remains an open question after Nabokov’s outing.
- Expect a much stronger Avalanche lineup in the next preseason game at home.
- If you’re eyeing futures or early season wagers, focus more on player usage than outcomes in these matches.
- Jets’ stars, when dressed, make the difference against patchwork opposition.
- Only eight Avs expected to be regulars suited up, so little can be projected forward from this scoreline.
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