Every so often, the divisional playoff format hands us a first-round series so good I briefly forgive all of its sins. The Winnipeg Jets against the Colorado Avalanche, a battle headlined by two MVP candidates and two of the more compelling contenders in the NHL, is one of them.

Last offseason, it seemed to many as though the Jets' days of making the playoffs consistently were coming to an end, and a lengthy rebuild was imminent. Instead, they delivered the second-best regular season in franchise history with their now-extended goaltender Connor Hellebuyck primed to win his second Vézina trophy. Past concerns about the defence in front of him have been assuaged by a stingy system imposed by head coach Rick Bowness, and this team enters the playoffs as a legitimate contender.

But have they ha