Recap: Colorado starts the homestand on a high-note
Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images
A four-goal third period helps Colorado secure the win here tonight. After coming home from a disappointing road trip, the Colorado Avalanche kicked off a six-game homestand at Ball Arena tonight as they took on the New Jersey Devils. While this game looked like a low-scoring affair for a majority of regulation, it did not end up being low-scoring, as the Avs exploded for a four-goal third period and won the game by a final score of 5-1.
Let’s take a look at all the action from tonight!
First Period
Colorado would get on the board tonight first, courtesy of Artturi Lehkonen. After surviving a two-minute penalty kill, Lehkonen would manage to drive hard to the front of the New Jersey net on a play and put the puck past Jake Allen on the backhand.
Finn-tastic moves from Lehkonen!#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/NDYnkwFIC3— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) February 27, 2025
Second Period
While both teams had their own grade-A chances in this period, neither one was able to convert, and the score remained 1-0 in Colorado’s favor. Mackenzie Blackwood stopped a Jack Hughes breakaway in this period, and Jake Allen had all the puck-luck on his side on the other end.
Third Period
After Colorado failed to score in the second period, Nathan MacKinnon would finally give the Avs the 2-0 lead on the power play. On this play, Cale Makar would initially feed Martin Necas for a one-timer, and that would intially be saved by Allen. The puck went straight to MacKinnon after that, Allen lost track of the puck, and MacKinnon was able to put it home from the goal line.
MacKinnon cleaning up on the power play #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/2dbbLsmQUp— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) February 27, 2025
Jack Hughes would get one back for New Jersey after that, as he was left all alone in the slot in front of the Colorado net. He managed to find the soft spot in the middle of the ice, just ripped the puck on net, and managed to beat Mackenzie Blackwood.
Super Hughes Bros back at it again. pic.twitter.com/GfrIHmTL8m— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) February 27, 2025
Colorado would get the two-goal lead back after that however, as MacKinnon showed off a bit of baseball-like skill and batted a puck out of the air to make it 3-1.
Ew #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/0nKdJDnvvQ— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) February 27, 2025
Casey Mittlestadt would then get in on the offensive explosion that happened in this period, as he would give the Avs a 4-1 lead after a rebound came straight to him, and he was able to beat Allen.
4-1 Colorado as Casey Mittelstadt buries the rebound!#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/UFTRLflAD7— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) February 27, 2025
Logan O’Connor would tack on another goal too for good measure, as Parker Kelly would find him with a phenomenal pass to make it 5-1 Colorado, and Jake Allen’s night would end there, as he was pulled after that goal.
Parker Kelly finds Logan O'Connor for another Colorado goal!#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/NVv9QsKBM0— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) February 27, 2025
Takeaways
After watching Colorado not be able to find their scoring touch this past weekend coming off of the Four Nations break, it feels great to watch them actually score in this game, against a very good Devils team no less. Not only were they able to find their scoring touch again, but you did get some guys other than your top line players contribute on the score sheet as well, even if it was kind of in garbage time.
It’s not exactly a secret that every single point matters more than ever now, and this game felt especially important given the last two game outcomes. Seeing Colorado rise to the occassion and get a win here tonight is exactly what they needed to do, and now they’ll need to do it against the Wild next.
Upcoming
The Colorado Avalanche take on the Minnesota Wild at Ball Arena on Friday in a divisional matchup. Puck drop is at 7:00 p.m. MT....
Want the trending hockey news in your inbox daily?.
Just add your email, and we'll start sending you the most important hockey news of the day.
