MacKinnon versus Hellebuyck highlight first

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.