Mittelstadt was an instant hit with the Avs last season. He arrived, slotted in as the new No. 2 center behind MacKinnon and was a perfect fit. Beyond the 10 points in 18 regular-season games, it was Mittelstadt’s work in his first Stanley Cup Playoffs experience (nine points in 11 contests) that cemented his place in Colorado.

Casey Mittelstadt began the night with a demotion. He ended it the hero. Mittelstadt’s first goal in 19 games helped the Avalanche defeat the division-leading Winnipeg Jets, 5-2, Tuesday night at Ball Arena.

Casey Mittelstadt ended a 19-game scoring drought with a tiebreaking goal in the third period and the Colorado Avalanche beat the NHL-leading Winnipeg Jets 5-2 on Tuesday night. Mittelstadt last scored on Nov.

Everyone wants Casey Mittelstadt to shoot the puck more — the Avalanche front office, the coaching staff, even the diehard in Section 320 yelling, "Shoot!" Everyone, including Mittelstadt himself.

Nichushkin missed the final 24-plus minutes two nights ago in a 5-2 win against the Winnipeg Jets because of the injury.