Losing streak now at 5games

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA» The Avalanche’s struggles continue.

Jets captain Blake Wheeler scored one goal and set up four others as Winnipeg defeated Colorado 5-2 in a key NHL Western Conference game before what was believed to be another sellout crowd of 15,321 at Bell MTS Place on Friday night.

It was Colorado’s fifth consecutive loss.

“I think leaders on this team have to get on this now,” said Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson, who scored Colorado’s first goal early in the third period to cut Winnipeg’s lead to 2-1. “We have to stop the bleeding and string some wins together here.”

The Avs have just one point in their last five games.

“It’s not a good position to be in,” said Colorado goalie Semyon Varlamov, who made 20 saves Friday. “The good thing is, we don’t have to wait so long to play again. We play in two days against Edmonton. We win one game, and we’ll get the confidence back.”

The Avs face the Oilers in Edmonton, where they will attempt to snap this streak, on Sunday.

“(We have to) start to do the little things right,” said Colorado coach Jared Bednar. “I think we took a couple of steps forward the last few games, just coming up short.

“Too many mistakes and turnovers with the puck led to chances against us. … Those turnovers can come back on you, especially when you have a team that shoots like they do. Special teams was a difference-maker for them — two power-play goals — and our power play came up empty.”

But he saw some positive signs. “I thought we were scratching and clawing to try to stay in the game,” Bednar said. “A lot of good things again, but we’ve got to find a way to get results here and not just worry about the good things that we’re doing.”

Jets sniper Patrick Laine fired home his eighth goal of the season on the power play, just 17 seconds after Colorado forward Sheldon