from Ken Wiebe of Sportsnet,

Well, it turns out the most important game of the year turned out to be the biggest no-show of the season for the Winnipeg Jets.

For a team coming off a disappointing 1-3 road trip, the Jets were expected to come out and play an inspired game against the defending Stanley Cup champions.

Instead, they gave up a breakaway goal to Nathan MacKinnon 19 seconds after the opening faceoff and laid an egg in what was a 5-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Friday night at Canada Life Centre.

Considering the circumstances -- with the Jets well aware that the Avalanche, Minnesota Wild and Calgary Flames are chasing them down and eliminating what used to be a solid cushion -- an effort like this one was inexcusable.

Rather than being up for the challenge, the Jets looked more like a team searching for answers as the stretch run is ramping up.

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Game highlights are below.