DENVER, CO — Valeri Nichushkin recorded a hat trick to lead the Colorado Avalanche to a 3-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets at Ball Arena in Game 1 of their first-round series.

Nichushkin opened the scoring just 2:56 into the first period off assists from Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar. The Jets responded in the second when Mark Scheifele tied the game 1-1, but Nichushkin struck again later in the frame to restore Colorado’s lead before intermission.

He completed the hat trick in the final minute of the third period, sealing the victory for the Avalanche.

Shots were nearly even—20 for Winnipeg and 19 for Colorado—but the Jets struggled to generate quality chances. Mackenzie Blackwood handled most of Winnipeg’s long-range attempts with ease, keeping the Avalanche in control throughout.