Not even for a second did Parker Kelly think he had a second goal on Friday. It’s OK, though. One goal was enough. Kelly’s goal, scored less than two minutes into the third period, was the game winner for the Colorado Avalanche as they defeated the Winnipeg Jets 3-2. It was Kelly’s seventh goal of the season, and just 34 games into the season, he’s one goal away from tying his career high in a single campaign. Kelly did put another puck into the net later in the third, but he did it with his stick closer to the top of Ball Arena than the crossbar. Naturally, the goal was immediately waved off by the referees. “I was reaching for the rafters on that one and it went in,” Kelly joked. “Obviously, that one’s not going to count.” His first goal did though, and it was a big one. Colorado’s top players were held in check for the majority of the evening, but in an 82-game season, you need other players to step up and lead the way sometimes. Against the Jets, those “other players” were the fourth line for the Avalanche, led by Kelly. “Maybe just a little more confident with the puck,” Kelly said of his improved goal scoring early in the year. “Just trying to make more plays. When I was younger in my career, I feel like I’d just dump it in and go hit the guy. (I’ve) been trying to take an offensive step in my game, been working with (Popovic), (Hakstol), all the coaches…I’d say I just feel a bit more patient, more poise with the puck, and a little more confident overall.” For his coach, the improved play goes back to a move they made halfway through the season last year. “From the time we moved him to the wing last year, he’s been a really good player,” Jared Bednar said. In a perfect world, Colorado’s fourth line would consist of Kelly, Jack Drury, and Logan O’Connor. The latter hasn’t been healthy enough to play this season, but for now, it’s Joel Kiviranta. In the last two victories, there’s a good argument to be made that that trio has been Colorado’s best. “They’re just such a good, solid defensive line,” Bednar said. “They work really hard and they’re always connected as a group. They seem to be in-tune with one another and they’re creating scoring chances too. They don’t score easy, but that line had two tonight. The other night in Seattle, I think they were 97% Expected Goals-For Percentage.” Some nights, it’s the big guns, but it can’t be every night. Those are the nights when you learn about the depth of your team. The depth on the Avalanche looks pretty good right about now. Avalanche 3, Jets 2 What happened: The temperature got hotter as the game went on, but the Avalanche held their own against a Jets team that tried to intimidate them. What went right: Josh Manson was named the first star in the building and he earned it. He picked up two assists and threw a massive hit in the second period that led to some fisticuffs. Bednar didn’t want to say it’s the best he’s ever played in an Avalanche uniform, but he’s loving what he’s seeing right now. “He’s playing well, and he’s playing physical and he’s involved,” he said. What went wrong: Cale Makar was 1:24 into his shift when the Avalanche got a power play late in the second. The staff kept him out there and he looked like a tired player, getting beat to the puck for a shorthanded Jets goal. Special teams were the biggest issue for the Avalanche on Friday, as the Jets scored shorthanded and on the power play. Avalanche goal scorers: Burns (5), Necas (15), Kelly (7) Jets goal scorers: Barron (6), Scheifele (17) Between the pipes: Another win for Scott Wedgewood, who stopped 20 of 22 shots. What’s next: The Avalanche will travel to face Quinn Hughes and the Minnesota Wild on Sunday at 5 p.m. ...read more read less