Recap: Avalanche collapse in third period, lose to Vegas 4-3 in overtime

2 weeks ago  /  Mile High Hockey

Photo by David Becker/NHLI via Getty Images


It was a frustrating weekend of hockey. After a troubling blowout loss at home the Colorado Avalanche jumped back on a plane and were back at it against the Vegas Golden Knights less than 24 hours later. For most of the time this game was just what the doctor ordered but Vegas got the best of Colorado in a third period comeback and then sealed the 4-3 win on a power play in overtime.
The Game
After getting blanked yesterday it was nice to see the Avalanche get on the board first. Ross Colton fired a sharp angle shot that snuck past Aidn Hill at 7:26. It was the kind of bounce that needed to go to Colorado’s way. And then they built on their lead when Nathan MacKinnon feathered a slick pass all the way cross-ice to a wide open Cale Makar who picked his spot to score the game’s second goal at 10:34. After 20 minutes of play the lead was 2-0 in Colorado’s favor.
In the second period Vegas started to claw back little by little until Tomas Hertl executed a great tip at the net front but Jared Bednar challenged for goaltender interference as Alexandar Georgiev’s pad was slightly disturbed and won, therefore no goal. But it was the Avalanche who would get the tally on the board for the period as Mikko Rantanen deflected a shot perfectly into the net. Through two periods Colorado had a commanding 3-0 lead.
Unfortunately a hockey game doesn’t end after two periods and the Avalanche forgot to play in the third. At 2:56 Ivan Barbashev beat Cale Makar on a wrap-around and surprised Georgiev at the net front to put Vegas on the board. Then a power play goal by William Karlsson at 6:35 gave the Golden Knights new life. A second goal by Karlsson on the rush tied the game at 16:32 and the Avalanche were left wondering what happened.
As bad as overtime sounded at that moment Josh Manson took a penalty with 11 seconds left in regulation. With a full power play to work with to start overtime Vegas was able to cash in as at 1:23 Hertl got the goal he scored earlier to count with another tip in front and that was the game, 4-3 win for Vegas.

Takeaways
It was the same tired story of factors all piling onto one another. While the Avalanche had a good start they couldn’t maintain momentum. They didn’t convert on either of their two power plays while conceding two scores to Vegas on the man advantage. Generating only 24 shots on goal and only two in the third period is unacceptable. Then on top of it a bad bounce seems to shake Georgiev’s confidence and he can’t stop the bleeding. Bad team defending was ever present, too.
Now the playoff road becomes even more difficult for Colorado who just a week ago was hoping to win the Central Division title but are now the likely third seed and a date to start at Winnipeg next weekend. The Jets need just one point gained or lost by the Avalanche to solidify the standings.
This discourse for the next week will be about flipping the switch and playing for something that matters. And certainly the team will have motivation to play better. The cracks on this roster are starting to show, however. Caleb Jones had to step in for Sam Girard on concussion protocol and the war of attrition if it even gets that far won’t be pretty.
Upcoming
Game 82 of the regular season hosting the Edmonton Oilers at 7:30 p.m. after a long wait to Thursday April, 18th. This game will be nationally broadcast on ESPN. ...

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