Avalanche Game 45 Recap: Still Finding a Way

Fresh off a devastating loss in Montréal, the Colorado Avalanche were off to Canada's capital, Ottawa, for the second and last meeting with the Ottawa Senators. The first meeting was a memorable one, as it saw Nathan MacKinnon score four goals in that outing. Regarding Part 2, the Avs were still looking to keep pace with the red hot Winnipeg Jets in the Central Division standings, as the loss in Montréal kept the Avs from moving past the Jets.

Interestingly, it was Justus Annunen in net for the Avs against Mads Sogaard. I thought it would be an Ivan Prosvetov game, but this would be the first outing for Annunen this season. It was quiet for the most part on our side of the ice; I felt that the Avs knew they had to help Annunen out, so they fired a bunch of shots at Sogaard to make things easier. In a weird occurrence, Ross Colton makes contact with Sogaard, so that's a penalty without question, and then Jake Sanderson roughs up Colton. Here's the thing, though: they called Colton for high-sticking, which I expected, and roughing! Sanderson only called for roughing. I fail to see where Colton committed any roughing, but because Colton got the extra two, it's a power play for Ottawa.

Within seconds, Drake Batherson made it 1-0 for the Sens, but very shortly afterwards, Colorado drew a two-on-one. MacKinnon's shot missed, but Mikko Rantanen's didn't. MacKinnon and Cale Makar assisted, and for the former, that's Point #71. 1-1 was the score after one period, but very early in the 2nd, Ridly Greig made it 2-1 in Ottawa's favor. Just over a minute later, Jason Polin's first NHL goal ties it up, but just when it looked like the Avs would get the lead, it's Greig again. The aforementioned Sanderson added one of his own at 11:04, and just like that, it was 4-2 for the Senators. Sam Molinski thought he made it a one goal game, but it was challenged for offsides, and it was successful. Goal removed, but minutes later, Rantanen strikes. The assists came from MacKinnon and Samuel Girard, and that's Point #72 for MacKinnon, who is tied with Nikita Kucherov for the league lead.

The Avs trailed 4-3 entering the third period. In other words: we had the Senators right where we wanted them. We needed only four minutes to tie it; Miles Wood, in his first game back, ties the game at four, and later on, the Avs went on the power play. Sam Malinski cashed in, got the goal he was denied, and just like that, the Avs took the lead. Girard and Ryan Johansen assisted, and Girard would get his third assist later on, as Logan O'Connor (who assisted on the game-tying goal) made it 6-4 for the Avalanche. Sens pulled Sogaard quite early, but all it did was allow Devon Toews to ice it with an empty netter.

The Avalanche won, 7-4, in Ottawa, after trailing 4-2 in the second period. Five unanswered goals, with four of them coming in the third period. We have been the kings of the comeback this season. The numbers say it all. The Avs are 13-10-0 when our opponents score first. We're 7-8-0 when trailing after the first period, and 8-9-0 when trailing after two periods. It's crazy how we manage to claw our way back from wins. That makes for a very dangerous team. Granted, having to comeback like this so much in a season is a sign of a team that starts late a lot. It can also be said that the Avs have a knack for scoring big when it's needed the most. This was absolutely amazing! MacKinnon's tied for the points lead, Girard had three helpers, Rantanen scored twice, and Annunen was a brick wall when we needed him to be.

So the Avs are 2-1 in this road trip, though it could have been 3-0. We are done with the Canadian portion, but the Eastern swing continues on Thursday, as the Avs will head to Beantown against the Boston Bruins.

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