NHL playoffs: Winnipeg Jets make lineup changes for must-win game 5 [Video]

WINNIPEG –

Going into his first career NHL playoff game on Tuesday, Cole Perfetti knew that he wouldn’t have any family in the stands cheering him on, but he was certain they’d be there in spirit.

The Whitby, Ont., product and veteran defenceman Colin Miller were both set to make their first-round series debut in the critical Game 5 against the Colorado Avalanche, who could eliminate the Jets from the playoffs with a victory.

“They’ll be cheering from home. They’re going to be watching hard and cheering from the TV,” ” Perfetti, 22, said of his family.

Winnipeg’s 2020 first-round draft pick (10th overall) played a career-high 71 regular-season games this season, recording a personal-best 19 goals and 38 points.

Perfetti said he was excited to get his first taste of the “whiteout” crowd at Canada Life Centre but would focus on helping Winnipeg extend the best-of-seven Central Division series that Colorado …