Avalanche Game 82 Recap: We Are Ready!

When the 2023-24 NHL season began, one thing I wanted to do was write a game-by-game recap of the Colorado Avalanche's campaign. I was inspired by the "fan reaction" vids I've seen on YouTube, mainly Steve Dangle's "LFR" (standing for Leafs Fan Reaction) vids, which I had been watching for about five years, and really enjoyed during the pandemic-affected seasons. I wanted to do the same, and decided to use Vocal to spread my Avalanche fandom. I have really enjoyed writing these recaps, and I loved that I could bring a humorous spin to these stories. I do my best to be objective, but there are times where I have to put the Avalanche glasses on.

This recap is definitely one of those times.

For the 82nd and final game of the regular season, the Avs were at home for the first and only time against the Edmonton Oilers. The first two meetings were in Edmonton, with the Avs winning the first in overtime, while the second saw us drubbed by the Oilers. The Avs were in a bit of a mess in the last few games, and we were looking to end this regular season on a winning note. The Oilers would make it a tad easy for us: their big boys were all taking a siesta.

In net, it was Justus Annunen vs Stuart Skinner. That matchup would not last. 79 seconds into the game, Valeri Nichushkin lights the lamp. Artturi Lehkonen and Casey Mittelstadt assisted, but we would not even be close to being done. The Moose got loose at 5:48, Mikko Rantanen made it 2-0, and the assists came from Devon Toews and Nathan MacKinnon, giving the latter 139 points. Avs went on the power play, and it would be Nichushkin again, who received a pass from MacKinnon. With that, MacKinnon picked up his 140th point, setting the new franchise record for points in a season. At 10:17, Josh Manson shot one in! The first period was barely more than half over, and the Avs were up 4-0, with only seven shots on goal. Dylan Holloway ended Annunen's shutout bid on the power play, but that was no concern.

The Avs led 4-1 after 20 minutes, and there was a lot of back and forth chances between the teams. No other PPGs would be scored, and at 12:00, out of nowhere, Zach Parise scores. It was at this point that I learned that Parise was calling it a career. Parise goal was labeled as his final regular season goal, as after the playoffs comes to an end, he'll be hanging it up. The 5-1 score held up the rest of the way, despite a game effort by the B-squad Oilers.

About a day ago, I said on social media that the only thing keeping me from being sad about MacKinnon not winning the Ross this year is the type of player he is. I wanted him to win the Ross so badly, because with the way voters are biased against the Avs, it was his only ticket to his long overdue first Hart Trophy. But here's the thing, and I'll be blunt. Nathan MacKinnon doesn't give a flying fuck about individual awards. The only trophy that has MacKinnon's attention is the one he won two years ago. MacKinnon finished four points behind Nikita Kucherov for the points lead, but he is part of Nordiques/Avalanche history with his 140 points this season.

This game finished the Avalanche's 51st regular season in play (44th in the NHL), and for the third straight season, we won 50 games. We finished in third place in the Central Division, which is a bit of a decline in standing, but we only finished with two points less than last year. This season definitely had its moments. The 6-0 start, the crazy comeback wins (especially coming back from down 4-0 to beat the Penguins), and that 9-game winning streak in March. This was a fun season, and now it's on to the playoffs.

Regarding recaps, this is the last of the season regarding single game recaps, but I do plan on doing this again next year. The Avs will face off against the Winnipeg Jets in the opening round, and after the way we played in our regular season finale, I can say with great confidence, and in spite of the fact that we'll be starting on the road, that we are ready!

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