The best comeback team in the NHL during the regular season did it again in its first home game of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Colorado Avalanche quickly erased a one-goal deficit early in the third period and got plenty of help from a suddenly undisciplined Winnipeg Jets club en route to a 6-2 victory Friday night at Ball Arena in Game 3 of this opening-round series. Colorado now leads the best-of-seven 2-1. Game 4 is here Sunday afternoon.

Nathan MacKinnon and Valeri Nichushkin scored power-play goals in the opening five minutes of the third to flip control of this contest. The Jets took four penalties in the first 11 minutes of the third, including a double-minor for high sticking.

Casey Mittelstadt had three assists, including the set ups for the fourth and fifth goals as the Avs busted open a tight game and ran away from the reeling Jets. The Avalanche have now scored 16 goals in this series, including 15 on Connor Hellebuyck, who is expected to be awarded the Vezina Trophy as the best goalie of the regular season in June.

MacKinnon scored the first extra-man goal 2:11 into the third. Miles Wood drew a penalty in the defensive zone, and then MacKinnon’s shot from the top of the zone beat Hellebuyck with Nichushkin providing the screen in front.

Nichushkin put the Avs in front during the power play for the double-minor infraction, which caused Devon Toews to leave a pool of blood on the ice after being high-sticked. Toews later returned to the game and helped set up the fourth goal.

Artturi Lehkonen scored for the third straight game in this series after a beautiful pass from Mittelstadt during a 2-on-2 rush where both Jets defenders fell down. Ross Colton made it a 5-2 game when he directed a Mittelstadt pass past Hellebuyck from the slot.

The four goals came in a span of 10:25 and came after the Jets had briefly found some footing during the second period. Alexandar Georgiev, who heard the home crowd chant his name in support repeatedly throughout the night, made 22 saves and outplayed the all-world guy at the other end of the ice for a second straight game.

Zach Parise put the Avs on the board first with his second goal in as many games. Mittelstadt made a nice play on a give-and-go with Parise to get Colorado into the offensive zone, then sent a pass to Josh Manson. Parise put home the rebound of Manson’s shot 11:18 into the opening period.

The Avs controlled the play for much of the first period and applied plenty of pressure in the opening minutes of the second, but the Jets evened the score on a counter attack at 5:03. The play started with a 2-on-1 for Winnipeg that didn’t turn into a shot attempt, but the Jets did keep the puck in the Colorado zone and eventually Tyler Toffoli was able to backhand a shot from a tight angle past Georgiev for his first goal of the series.

Winnipeg iced the puck 30 seconds before Toffoli’s goal, but the Jets quickly countered and had four shot attempts before the goal, including one by Toffoli that was blocked in front that led to his rebound try.

Mittelstadt took the first penalty of the game and the Jets took advantage to claim the lead the 10:50 of the second. Josh Morrissey scored with a shot from the top of the offensive zone through traffic for the second time in this series.

Footnotes: Samuel Girard returned to the lineup after missing the final two games of the regular season and the first two contests in this series with a concussion. Justus Annunen returned to the active roster as Georgiev’s backup in net. He missed the two games in Winnipeg with an illness. The Avs have now dressed four goalies (Georgiev, Annunen, Ivan Prosvetov and Arvid Holm) in this series.

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MIAMI GARDENS — Here’s a list of the Top 10 players the Miami Dolphins could select on Saturday’s third and final day of the NFL draft, which is Rounds 4-7.

As a reminder, the Dolphins have four picks left (unless they acquire more) — one in the fifth round (No. 158), two in the sixth (Nos. 184 and 198), and one in the seventh (No. 241).

Some of these picks are better for the fourth round, and some are better for the seventh. Also, many of these picks are best player available as opposed to filling a specific need.

And because the Dolphins tend to go local with late-round picks, this list leans toward locals.

Matt Lee, C, University of Miami

Lee (6-4, 301), a transfer from UCF, excels in pass protection. The Dolphins are loaded at interior offensive line but there’s still a feeling they might get more help through the draft.

Leonard Taylor III, DT, University of Miami

Taylor (6-3, 303) has questions about his motor but not about his talent. The Dolphins might be seeking defensive tackle help to replace Christian Wilkins.

Tommy Eichenberg, LB, Ohio State

Eichenberg (6-2, 233), the brother of Dolphins center/guard Liam Eichenberg, was an All America selection. Miami doesn’t necessarily need an inside linebacker, but depth and special teams are also considerations.

Javion Cohen, G, University of Miami

Cohen (6-4, 324) is big and athletic. The Alabama transfer would be among a plethora of Dolphins interior offensive linemen.

Jack Westover, TE, Washington

Westover (6-3, 243) had 46 receptions for 433 yards and four toucdowns. The Dolphins signed Jonnu Smith but he might not necessarily be the No. 3 receiver.

Braiden McGregor, Edge, Michigan

McGregor (6-5, 257) has good size and while he only had 4.5 sacks, 3.5 of those came over his final five games.

Jarvis Brownlee Jr., CB, Louisville

Brownlee (5-10, 194) is an aggressive player with slot and boundary capabilities, and he’s local, having attended Carol City High School.

Tez Walker, WR, North Carolina

Walker (6-2, 193) ran a 4.36-second 40-yard dash at the combine, which means he’s fast. That’s a major requirement for the Dolphins.

Cody Schrader, RB, Missouri

Schrader (5-9, 202) has good feet and next-level elusiveness. And he has good hands. Size is a major problem.

Qwan’Tez Stiggers, CB, No college

Stiggers (5-11, 203) is a relative unknown because he didn’t play college football. But he’s an athletic freak who had an outstanding pro day in Atlanta, which the Dolphins attended.

The Post’s sports staff weighs in with grades after the Denver Broncos drafted Utah edge rusher Jonah Elliss on Day 2 of the NFL draft.

Parker Gabriel, Broncos beat writer

Grade: B+

A solid grade for Denver on two fronts and with one caveat. The Broncos hit a position of need at No. 76 overall in Utah edge rusher Jonah Elliss. They also stayed patient. After picking at No. 12 instead of trading back Thursday, the only way to move up from No. 76 in a meaningful way would have been to deal a player or dip into 2025 draft capital. Instead, Denver held on to its assets and picked a player with the skillset to help early — if he stays healthy. Some risk there given Elliss’ shoulder and hamstring issues, but a solid bet to make deep into Day 2.

Ryan McFadden, Broncos beat writer

Grade: B

Elliss plays with a high-motor, a trait that helped him collect 12 sacks in his final season at Utah. He will need to improve as a run defender, and his shoulder injury, which forced him to not work out at the scouting combine, is a bit concerning. But Elliss has the potential to be a solid rotational player as a rookie who could develop into a starter on the edge in the future.

Troy Renck, sports columnist

Grade: B

Utah’s Jonah Elliss brings energy and intensity to the edge. He has good hands, but needs to add more counter moves to his arsenal. He likely will need to bulk up to help him support the run. He profiles as a sub package pass rusher as a rookie for a group that hasn’t had a player reach double-digit sacks since 2018. That is too much to ask for as a rookie, but his ceiling suggests it is possible by Year 3 as he grows into a full-time role.

Sean Keeler, sports columnist

Grade: B

Troy Franklin? No? Anyone? Elliss is fine — lean, mean, great bloodlines. If you love your edge-rushers with a no-quit engine, you’re going to love this guy. His first-down, short-yardage mileage is still TBD, but Luther’s kid won’t be awed by the stage. Or by Patrick Mahomes. Promise you that.

Matt Schubert, sports editor

Grade: C+

The Broncos pass rush needs help. That much is true. Jonah Elliss has the pedigree (dad, Luther, could play) and the production (16.5 sacks at Utah). But it sure would’ve been nice to give first-round pick Bo Nix an extra weapon on offense — especially with so many good ones still on the board.

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The Post’s sports staff weighs in with grades after the Denver Broncos drafted Utah edge rusher Jonah Elliss on Day 2 of the NFL draft.

Parker Gabriel, Broncos beat writer

Grade: B+

A solid grade for Denver on two fronts and with one caveat. The Broncos hit a position of need at No. 76 overall in Utah edge rusher Jonah Elliss. They also stayed patient. After picking at No. 12 instead of trading back Thursday, the only way to move up from No. 76 in a meaningful way would have been to deal a player or dip into 2025 draft capital. Instead, Denver held on to its assets and picked a player with the skillset to help early — if he stays healthy. Some risk there given Elliss’ shoulder and hamstring issues, but a solid bet to make deep into Day 2.

Ryan McFadden, Broncos beat writer

Grade: B

Elliss plays with a high-motor, a trait that helped him collect 12 sacks in his final season at Utah. He will need to improve as a run defender, and his shoulder injury, which forced him to not work out at the scouting combine, is a bit concerning. But Elliss has the potential to be a solid rotational player as a rookie who could develop into a starter on the edge in the future.

Troy Renck, sports columnist

Grade: B

Utah’s Jonah Elliss brings energy and intensity to the edge. He has good hands, but needs to add more counter moves to his arsenal. He likely will need to bulk up to help him support the run. He profiles as a sub package pass rusher as a rookie for a group that hasn’t had a player reach double-digit sacks since 2018. That is too much to ask for as a rookie, but his ceiling suggests it is possible by Year 3 as he grows into a full-time role.

Sean Keeler, sports columnist

Grade: B

Troy Franklin? No? Anyone? Elliss is fine — lean, mean, great bloodlines. If you love your edge-rushers with a no-quit engine, you’re going to love this guy. His first-down, short-yardage mileage is still TBD, but Luther’s kid won’t be awed by the stage. Or by Patrick Mahomes. Promise you that.

Matt Schubert, sports editor

Grade: C+

The Broncos pass rush needs help. That much is true. Jonah Elliss has the pedigree (dad, Luther, could play) and the production (16.5 sacks at Utah). But it sure would’ve been nice to give first-round pick Bo Nix an extra weapon on offense — especially with so many good ones still on the board.

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Almost anything in football can be viewed in relation to the quarterback.

The premium positions beside the guy under center? Those who can protect him, impact him or make plays in the passing game for him.

When you’ve got a rookie like the Broncos do after taking Oregon’s Bo Nix in the first round Thursday night, that emphasis only grows.

“The (rookie quarterback) challenge is exciting, but it’s still, you want good quarterback play,” Payton said Thursday night. “The two biggest allies to that, I believe strongly, are good defensive play and a running game. In other words, if you are a quarterback and you’re having trouble running the ball — or let’s get worse — if you’re a quarterback and you’re having trouble running the ball or stopping people, your job description becomes very difficult.

“When you’re playing good defense and you have a running game, your job description is a little bit more palatable.”

With needs across the board, then, the Broncos set about working on the defensive side of the ball with their lone Day 2 selection, drafting Utah edge rusher Jonah Elliss with the No. 76 overall pick.

Elliss has backfield production that rivals anybody in the class. He’s on the smaller side at 6-foot-2 and 248 pounds, but that didn’t stop him from racking up 12 sacks and 16 tackles for loss in just 10 games his final season playing for a rugged Utes defense led by longtime head coach Kyle Whittingham.

“My effort is elite when it comes to the game. I think that’s just how I was raised,” said Elliss, whose father, Luther, finished his playing career with the Broncos in 2004 and later served as the team’s chaplain, including for the 2015 Super Bowl 50 championship team. “I’m a great pass-rusher and I bring that to a team, as well. Where I need to grow is just perfecting the little things, the little techniques, especially in my run fits.”

The Broncos defense had bright moments in 2023, particularly during a turnover binge-fueled five-game winning streak, but overall languished near the bottom of the league. Among ESPN’s team win-rate stats, Denver finished 30th in pass rush and 28th in stopping the run.

They’re hoping Elliss can join a group of young pass-rushers to improve those marks.

Ideally, teams in the NFL are drafting not to plug current gaps but with eyes on the future. Elliss joins a group of edge rushers the Broncos like in Baron Browning, Jonathon Cooper, Nik Bonitto and potentially Drew Sanders. Still, Browning and Cooper are entering the final years of their rookie contracts and as such it is easy to see Elliss as both a complementary piece as soon as he’s ready and also a potential replacement or supplement beginning in 2025.

Perhaps not coincidentally, Elliss said he patterns his game after Hassan Reddick, who blossomed into a difference-maker in Arizona under now-Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph.

“We have a similar stature and we kind of use the same moves,” Elliss said. “He’s really a speed guy and that’s what I’m trying to be, too. I watched his film a lot during the offseason going into my junior year.”

Now Denver goes into a busy third day of the draft having simultaneously hit on two positions of need while also showing restraint uncommon of Payton teams. The Broncos used each of their first two picks at their assigned slots and now have six Saturday selections.

In many ways, the start of the draft is similar to how the Broncos have operated this offseason. They’ve spent modestly. They’ve exercised patience more often than aggression. They’ve kept an eye on the future while plugging holes in the present. Now they’ll have a chance to add several low-budget players to the roster in a portion of the draft where the talent is expected to drop off but where gems can still be identified.

Denver has No. 121 in the fourth round and then three of the first 12 picks in the fifth round (Nos. 136, 145 and 147).

The quarterback was the fun part. These are the days that help determine how well-built the support system around him is.

EDGE Jonah Elliss

Round/pick: 3rd/No. 76

Age: 21

Height/weight: 6-foot-2/248 pounds

College: Utah

Hometown: Moscow, Idaho

Notable: Elliss comes from a football family. His father, Luther, was a two-time Pro Bowler who played nine seasons for the Detroit Lions and one with the Broncos. His brothers, Kaden, Christian and Noah, currently play in the NFL. In 2023, he collected 37 tackles (16 for loss), 12 sacks and three passes defended in 10 games before missing the rest of the season due to a shoulder injury that kept him from working out at the NFL scouting combine in February.

Quotable: Elliss on his dad’s time with the Broncos: “He still talks about how great of a culture and what a great fanbase they have out there. Honestly, the culture is something he mentions a lot and how it’s just a really good bond out there.”

Want more Broncos news? Sign up for the Broncos Insider to get all our NFL analysis.

Almost anything in football can be viewed in relation to the quarterback.

The premium positions beside the guy under center? Those who can protect him, impact him or make plays in the passing game for him.

When you’ve got a rookie like the Broncos do after taking Oregon’s Bo Nix in the first round Thursday night, that emphasis only grows.

“The (rookie quarterback) challenge is exciting, but it’s still, you want good quarterback play,” Payton said Thursday night. “The two biggest allies to that, I believe strongly, are good defensive play and a running game. In other words, if you are a quarterback and you’re having trouble running the ball — or let’s get worse — if you’re a quarterback and you’re having trouble running the ball or stopping people, your job description becomes very difficult.

“When you’re playing good defense and you have a running game, your job description is a little bit more palatable.”

With needs across the board, then, the Broncos set about working on the defensive side of the ball with their lone Day 2 selection, drafting Utah edge rusher Jonah Elliss with the No. 76 overall pick.

Elliss has backfield production that rivals anybody in the class. He’s on the smaller side at 6-foot-2 and 248 pounds, but that didn’t stop him from racking up 12 sacks and 16 tackles for loss in just 10 games his final season playing for a rugged Utes defense led by longtime head coach Kyle Whittingham.

“My effort is elite when it comes to the game. I think that’s just how I was raised,” said Elliss, whose father, Luther, finished his playing career with the Broncos in 2004 and later served as the team’s chaplain, including for the 2015 Super Bowl 50 championship team. “I’m a great pass-rusher and I bring that to a team, as well. Where I need to grow is just perfecting the little things, the little techniques, especially in my run fits.”

The Broncos defense had bright moments in 2023, particularly during a turnover binge-fueled five-game winning streak, but overall languished near the bottom of the league. Among ESPN’s team win-rate stats, Denver finished 30th in pass rush and 28th in stopping the run.

They’re hoping Elliss can join a group of young pass-rushers to improve those marks.

Ideally, teams in the NFL are drafting not to plug current gaps but with eyes on the future. Elliss joins a group of edge rushers the Broncos like in Baron Browning, Jonathon Cooper, Nik Bonitto and potentially Drew Sanders. Still, Browning and Cooper are entering the final years of their rookie contracts and as such it is easy to see Elliss as both a complementary piece as soon as he’s ready and also a potential replacement or supplement beginning in 2025.

Perhaps not coincidentally, Elliss said he patterns his game after Hassan Reddick, who blossomed into a difference-maker in Arizona under now-Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph.

“We have a similar stature and we kind of use the same moves,” Elliss said. “He’s really a speed guy and that’s what I’m trying to be, too. I watched his film a lot during the offseason going into my junior year.”

Now Denver goes into a busy third day of the draft having simultaneously hit on two positions of need while also showing restraint uncommon of Payton teams. The Broncos used each of their first two picks at their assigned slots and now have six Saturday selections.

In many ways, the start of the draft is similar to how the Broncos have operated this offseason. They’ve spent modestly. They’ve exercised patience more often than aggression. They’ve kept an eye on the future while plugging holes in the present. Now they’ll have a chance to add several low-budget players to the roster in a portion of the draft where the talent is expected to drop off but where gems can still be identified.

Denver has No. 121 in the fourth round and then three of the first 12 picks in the fifth round (Nos. 136, 145 and 147).

The quarterback was the fun part. These are the days that help determine how well-built the support system around him is.

EDGE Jonah Elliss

Round/pick: 3rd/No. 76

Age: 21

Height/weight: 6-foot-2/248 pounds

College: Utah

Hometown: Moscow, Idaho

Notable: Elliss comes from a football family. His father, Luther, was a two-time Pro Bowler who played nine seasons for the Detroit Lions and one with the Broncos. His brothers, Kaden, Christian and Noah, currently play in the NFL. In 2023, he collected 37 tackles (16 for loss), 12 sacks and three passes defended in 10 games before missing the rest of the season due to a shoulder injury that kept him from working out at the NFL scouting combine in February.

Quotable: Elliss on his dad’s time with the Broncos: “He still talks about how great of a culture and what a great fanbase they have out there. Honestly, the culture is something he mentions a lot and how it’s just a really good bond out there.”

Want more Broncos news? Sign up for the Broncos Insider to get all our NFL analysis.

MIAMI GARDENS — The Miami Dolphins drafted Houston offensive tackle Patrick Paul in the second round of the NFL draft on Friday, filling a need at a backup position.

But the big question is whether Paul, the 6 foot 7, 331-pounder who has an extraordinary 36-inch reach, is good enough contribute soon.

Is he good enough to contend for a starting job this year?

Is he good enough to push veteran Kendall Lamm and become the Dolphins’ top backup offensive tackle?

Is deserving of being the Dolphins’ selection in the second round?

Did the Dolphins do well enough with their first- and second-round selections?

The Dolphins, who drafted Penn State edge rusher Chop Robinson with their first-round pick (No. 21) on Thursday, needed immediate help from the draft and there’s concern they drafted two developmental-type players.

Robinson will likely be an immediate starter as returning veterans Bradley Chubb (knee) and Jaelan Phillips (Achilles) recover.

But that’s not the case with Paul, the 55th selection in the draft.

Various scouting reports and mock drafts projected Paul anywhere from the low first round to the second round.

General manager Chris Grier said right now the Dolphins are only looking at Paul as a tackle, not a guard, and he then added, “but we don’t box people in.”

If Paul is only a tackle, he’s a backup considering the Dolphins return starting left tackle Terron Armstead and starting right tackle Austin Jackson.

“He knows he’s got some things to work on,” Grier said of Paul. “He’s very honest and direct and that’s what we really appreciated.’’

The Dolphins had options aside from selecting Paul.

Grier said they got “a bunch” of trade offers for the No. 55 pick.

“A couple were enticing,” he said, “but not enough for us to move off Patrick.”

As for other positions, right before the Dolphins took Paul, Texas wide receiver Adonai Mitchell went to Indianapolis at No. 52, Kansas State tight end Ben Sinnott went to Washington at No. 53, and Ohio State defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. went to Cleveland at No. 54.

All are players the Dolphins could have chosen.

Right after Paul’s selection, Western Michigan edge rusher Marshawn Kneeland went to Dallas at No. 56, and Alabama edge rusher Chris Braswell went to Tampa at No. 57, and Georgia safety Javon Bullard went to Green Bay at No. 58.

Again, all are players the Dolphins could have chosen.

One thing to keep in mind, however, is that the second round has been a successful spot for Grier and the Dolphins since he took over the draft in 2016.

The second-round picks since then have been Pro Bowl cornerback Xavien Howard (2016), linebacker Raekwon McMillan (2017), tight end Mike Gesicki (2019), guard Robert Hunt and defensive tackle Raekwon Davis (2020), safety Jevon Holland and guard Liam Eichenberg (2021) and cornerback Cam Smith (2023).

That’s eight selections — one Pro Bowler (Howard), two high-quality players (Hunt and Holland), and three serviceable players (Eichenberg, Gesicki and Davis), one so-so player (McMillan) and one unproven player (Smith).

Overall, that’s decent success.

As a bonus to selecting Paul, he’s an engaging young man with an interesting background.

He’s long-armed with a 36-inch reach that he uses to his advantage.

“Always being the first person, if your timing is right, to land that punch and get that contact, it gives you an advantage being the first to strike,” Paul said.

He’s a martial arts enthusiast who practices boxing and MMA.

“It correlates definitely to the field,” Paul said.

His grandfather, Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi was a major general in the Nigerian Army and head of state of Nigeria for a six-month stretch in 1966 after he took over following a coup.

Paul lived in Nigeria as a youngster for two and a half years. He hasn’t been back since 2015.

And he has a dynamic personality as well as a big smile.

“He was very enthusiastic about his intentions of wanting to play here,” Grier said with a smile.

The Dolphins said they spent a lot of time with Paul between the Senior Bowl, combine and a visit to the Dolphins’ team facility in Miami Gardens.

Paul said he enjoyed his time with the Dolphins tremendously, describing the three visits as “great,” “great,” and “amazing.”

But the question is whether Paul can be a contributor this year, and a starter next year as a replacement to Armstead, who considered retirement this offseason.

Grier thinks Paul can do both.

“We’re excited,” Grier said. “We think he has another level he can take it to, and he wants to, and that’s an important part. He wants to be good and he wants to be coached.”

Kam Kinchens, once dubbed “Slow-Jo” by his high school coach, is headed to the NFL.

The Los Angeles picked the All-American Hurricanes safety with the 99th pick in the third round of the NFL draft on Saturday. Kinchens is the first Hurricane to be picked in this year’s draft.

Kinchens, a former star at Miami Northwestern High, is the 41st player from the high school powerhouse to reach the NFL. The last Northwestern player to be picked in the draft was defensive lineman Caljah Kancey, who went in last year’s draft.

Kinchens came to Miami as a four-star prospect after starring for the Bulls and quickly became a key player for UM, starting the final five games of the 2021 season.

Although he was promising as a true freshman, Kinchens established himself as a top safety as a sophomore. He racked up six interceptions, which tied for second in the nation, and earned All-American honors (and a banner inside UM’s indoor practice facility). His 90 defensive grade from Pro Football Focus was No. 1 in the nation among safeties with 100 or more defensive snaps.

Kinchens returned for the 2023 season and had another solid performance, notching 59 tackles with five interceptions despite missing two games with a concussion. He also stepped up as a key leader on the team.

“He’s the best leader that I’ve ever had on any sports team, on any kind of organization,” UM safety Jaden Harris said before the 2023 season. “He’s the best leader that I’ve ever had, I ever came across. He does things right every single day, no matter what the circumstance is. He’s just a great guy to be around. I just want to compete with him, no matter what we’re doing. In the weight room, I try to catch him slipping up and stuff so I can get on him like how he gets on me, but it’s hard.”

Clippers star Kawhi Leonard only plays 25 minutes, finishing with nine points and four turnovers, in a Game 3 to the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night.