DENVER — Already having multiple periods with three and four goals against the Winnipeg Jets, the Avalanche managed to one-up their own scoring prowess with a five-goal explosion in the third period on Friday. The first of two consecutive games at Ball Arena saw the Avs score another five goals on Hellebuyck and add an empty netter to rout Winnipeg 6-2, taking a 2-1 series lead into Sunday’s Game 4 matinee.

Colorado scored its first two third-period goals on the power play but kept its foot on the pedal the rest of the way. Even a late power play couldn’t pull the Jets back into this one. The Avs were the more dominant offensive team for the third straight game. And in each of those games, the likely Vezina Trophy winner, Hellebuyck, had no answer for the NHL’s best offense.

“Power play came up huge. It’s the difference in the hockey game tonight,” head coach Jared Bednar said.

To make things all the more impressive for Colorado, the Jets were the best team this season when leading after two periods. They had a record of 37-1-1 and were successful again in Game 1 in the same scenario. But the lack of discipline they played with in the third period was unlike them. Or maybe it was the Avs’ aggressive forecheck continuing to force errors. Just as it did in the first two games north of the border.

After all, 17 goals against in three games were not the expectation for Winnipeg, especially after having the stingiest defense all year.

“We didn’t sit back on our heels and I think we just took it to them,” Avs forward Ross Colton said. “When we play with that speed, we play with that energy, we’re a good team. Obviously, we got some power plays there. But we drew them with hard work and getting in on the forecheck and kind of putting them under pressure. So it all starts with that.”

Colton was one of six goal-scorers for the Avs, who already have more goals than they did in all seven games against the Seattle Kraken in last year’s first-round series (16).

Zach Parise, Artturi Lehkonen, Valeri Nichushkin, Nathan MacKinnon and Devon Toews (empty net) also scored for the Avs. Last year, the team did not get any goals from its depth outside the first line and top defense pairing.

“It’s unreal. All series long, everybody’s been really good, and we need that,” MacKinnon said. “When we won, we had everyone going, everyone contributing and not just scoring, but guys are eating pucks and playing really good two-way hockey.”

Down 2-1 to start the final period, Miles Wood was able to draw a tripping penalty on Mason Appleton. Colorado capitalized on the ensuing opportunity thanks to a point shot through traffic by MacKinnon. And just 23 seconds later, things took a major turn for the worst for the Jets. Gabe Vilardi received a double minor for high-sticking Toews. Colorado’s defenseman had to leave the ice bloodied but eventually returned. He finished with two points, both of which came after returning.

On that power play, Nichushkin potted home his third goal in as many games on a relentless attack from the Avs.

A few minutes later, center Casey Mittelstadt helped the Avs secure a two-goal lead with an incredible pass to Lehkonen. Entering the zone on a 2-on-1, Mittelstadt drew the goalie toward him for the shot but eventually sent a pass across to Lehkonen for a shot at the wide-open net. His playmaking was on full display as it was one of three assists he had. Colorado led 4-2 and Mittelstadt was feeding his linemates successfully all night.

” It’s a skill play, high skill play. He makes a few other high-skill plays that lead to scoring chances tonight,” head coach Jared Bednar said.

Colton added another tally one second after David Gustafsson’s delay of game penalty expired. And Toews’ empty netter capped off the five-goal outburst.

Perhaps the most exciting part of the game, and the crowd, was the play of Avs goalie Alexandar Georgiev, and the chants he received from the sellout crowd all game.

Georgiev was hampered with sarcastic chants in both games in Winnipeg before his bounce-back performance on Tuesday. He followed it up with another exceptional game, stopping 22-of-24 shots to earn another victory. The crowd began chanting his name when he was announced as the starter and it continued after seemingly every save — no matter how impressive.

Georgiev has outplayed Hellebuyck in the last two games.

“It’s unbelievable. I feel the guys did such a good job for me today, just made my job so much easier, especially in the second and third,” Georgiev said. “I feel they deserve more chants, for sure. I appreciate it a lot. It’s an amazing feeling.”

Added Bednar: “Georgie, first star for me tonight.”