The Winnipeg Jets are making a lineup change after splitting the first two games of their first-round NHL playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche.

Head coach Rick Bowness says that Nate Schmidt will be in the lineup for Game 3 on Friday night and fellow blueliner Logan Stanley will sit.

Schmidt was a healthy scratch for Winnipeg's 7-6 win in Game 1 as well as the Jets' 5-2 loss in Game 2 at Canada Life Centre.

He's expected to play with Dylan Samberg. It's the only lineup change for the Jets, who beat the Avalanche 7-0 in their last regular-season meeting at Ball Arena on April 13.

No one expected a sweep, Winnipeg Jets coach says as series shifts to Colorado for Game 3

Resting on top of an audio speaker just inside the entrance to the Winnipeg Jets' locker-room sits a reminder of what the NHL team is fighting for.

A man in a suit talks to a goaltender seated on the team's bench.

Winnipeg Jets' head coach Rick Bowness speaks with goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) after he was pulled for the extra attacker at the end of the third period against the Colorado Avalanche in Game 2 of their NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Winnipeg, Tuesday April 23, 2024.

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Winnipeg Jets' head coach Rick Bowness speaks with goaltender Connor Hellebuyck after he was pulled for the extra attacker at the end of Tuesday's Game 2. 'I don't think anyone expected this series to go four straight for either side, so here we are in Game 3,' Bowness says. 

Winnipeg Jets head coach optimistic despite losing Game 2 at home to Avalanche

Despite the Jets losing 5-2 to the Colorado Avalanche Tuesday in a Game 2 that evened their first-round playoff series at 1-1, Winnipeg head coach Rick Bowness saw improvements in his team's play from Sunday's wild 7-6 victory.

Fans wearing white sit in the stands, with one holding a sign that reads, '15 more wins.'

Winnipeg Jets fans cheer during the first period in Game 2 of their NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche in Winnipeg, Tuesday April 23, 2024.

Winnipeg Jets fans cheer during the first period in Game 2 of their NHL hockey first-round playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche in Winnipeg on Tuesday.

Colorado defenceman Samuel Girard,&nbsp;who missed Colorado's last four games with a concussion,&nbsp;participated in the morning skate but will be a game-time decision.

Game 4 in the best-of-seven series is scheduled for Sunday afternoon. Winnipeg will host Game 5 on Tuesday.

Winnipeg's Logan Stanley, right, collides with Colorado's Ross Colton in Game 1 of their first-round Stanley Cup playoff series in Winnipeg on Sunday April 21, 2024.

Stanley out, Schmidt in, as Winnipeg Jets adjust defence corps for Game 3 in Denver

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