After falling 2-1 to the Dallas Stars in a shootout at home on Wednesday, the Colorado Avalanche kicked off a four-game road trip against the Chicago Blackhawks. The Avs would get the better of the Blackhawks with a 4-1 win, and officially secured a playoff berth with that win as well.
Let’s take a look at all the action from tonight!
First Period
Colorado got the shot pressure going early and Martin Necas would get the party started (excuse the pun) in the first period with an insane goal from an impossible-looking
angle, of a phenomenal feed from Val Nichushkin, who was driving towards the front of the net with the puck before finding Necas.
Before the end of the first period Brock Nelson would make it 2-0 for Colorado on the power play, as Cale Makar was able to find him with a shot-pass from the top of the offensive zone, and Nelson was able to re-direct the puck past Blackhawks goaltender Arvid Soderblom.
Second Period
Chicago got on the board as Wyatt Kaiser would make it 2-1, and that would be the only goal Chicago scored all game. The goal came off a defensive scramble from the Avalanche, and Kaiser was able to sneak the puck through the five-hole of Mackenzie Blackwood.
Third Period
The game was pretty much over by the final frame and Nazem Kadri would make it 3-1 Colorado with another power play goal, off an absolutely insane backhand, cross-ice pass from Nathan MacKinnon, and Kadri was able to put that puck into what was essentially an empty net.
Adding to the final score Val Nichushkin would score off a Blackhawks turnover that was caused by MacKinnon, making it a 4-1 Colorado final.
Takeaways
Tonight’s effort from the Avs was exactly what you wanted to see from them after the shootout loss to Dallas on Wednesday night. While Colorado still had a two-point lead on Dallas for the top spot in the Central Division heading into tonight, that was a little too close for comfort, to say the least. Now, the Avs have a four-point lead after tonight’s win, which gives you a bit more breathing room and makes you feel a little bit more comfortable. Chicago’s obviously not the best team in the league, but your powerplay kept trending in the right direction again tonight, as Colorado was able to score two power play goals again tonight. Hopefully, that positive trend continues as the Avs continue on this road trip, and as we head into the playoffs, since Colorado has officially clinched a playoff berth as well after the win!
Upcoming
The Avs continue this road trip with a matchup against the Washington Capitals on Sunday, March 22. Puck drop will be bright and early at 10:30 a.m. MT.
