For the first time in more than a month, the Colorado Avalanche did not make enough good things happen to earn at least a point.
After taking their first regulation loss since Oct. 25, the Avalanche continue a four-game road trip Saturday afternoon when they visit the New York Rangers, who are seeking consecutive home wins for the first time this season.
The Avalanche were 14-0-3 in their previous 17 games before Thursday when they allowed the first four goals in a 6-3 loss to the New York Islanders. Colorado faced its largest deficit of the season en route to its second regulation loss and first since a 3-2 road setback to the Boston Bruins on Oct. 25.
Colorado trailed by four goals after allowing two tallies in a span of 61 seconds in the second period. Valeri Nichushkin and Martin Necas scored in the second period while Artturi Lehkonen scored early in the third but the Avalanche could not overcome various miscues.
Colorado allowed the first goal on a fluky bounce that went off defenseman Devon Toews’ stick. The Avalanche gave up the third goal on a rebound and the fourth glanced off goalie Mackenzie Blackwood.
“I think, at times, we did some great things. It was just few and far between,” Colorado defenseman Cale Makar said. “Everything they had was going on net tonight and lucky bounces, unfortunately. That’s the way some games are going to go. We got to find ways to mitigate that and win the netfront area. Just at times tonight we really didn’t do that.”
The Avalanche conceded a season-high 42 shots on goal after allowing more than 30 shots four times during their streak. Colorado allowed its most goals since it gave up eight at Tampa Bay on Nov. 25, 2024.
“We got outbattled in our netfront, too many rebounds, but they scored two goals and rebounds, some of them multiple rebounds, before it went in,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said. “And that can’t happen. We got to be harder at the netfront, and we weren’t tonight.”
New York is 5-1-0 over its past six games and attempting to win three straight for the fourth time this season.
The Rangers followed up their 3-2 comeback overtime victory over the Dallas Stars on Tuesday by never trailing in their 4-2 win over the Ottawa Senators on Thursday. The Rangers are 12-4-1 on the road but 3-8-1 at home where they have been outscored 36-20.
On Thursday, Will Borgen and Vladislav Gavrikov scored, giving the Rangers four goals from defensemen since Adam Fox was put on long-term injured reserve due to a shoulder injury following a hard hit by Tampa Bay’s Brandon Hagel in last Saturday’s 4-1 loss.
Artemi Panarin added an empty-net goal after setting up Mika Zibanejad’s tally 3:19 into the contest. Panarin also collected assists on Will Cuylle’s tying goal and Gavrikov’s game-winner in overtime Tuesday and has 21 points (six goals, 15 assists) over his past 14 contests.
“In terms of the Dallas game, I thought that was maybe our best game at home,” Zibanejad said. “But I think in general, I think we know the level we’re capable of. They’re not going to be like the Dallas game every night, but I think the foundation of our intentions were there, and they were there today as well.”
Zibanejad also has six points (three goals, three assists) in a modest five-game points streak and has 12 points (five goals, seven assists) over his past 12 games.
–Field Level Media
