Gm 71: Avalanche Complete Four-Goal Comeback, Stun Penguins

Despite falling into a four-goal deficit, the Colorado Avalanche roared back with four goals over the final 24 minutes of regulation and collected the two points in overtime.

With the win, the Avalanche rallied from a four-goal deficit for just third third time in franchise history.

1st Period

It seemed like the Avalanche missed the memo that the game started at noon, because the Penguins dominated the first 20 minutes. Pittsburgh’s excellent play away from the puck, complemented by the hard work of players like Sidney Crosby, helped the team generate a 71.43% CorsiFor (according to Natural Stat Trick).

The Avalanche had an opportunity to turn the tide when Josh Manson drew a hooking penalty below the net. Unfortunately, Colorado was unable to create any scoring chances or even force a shot on goal. After the penalty expired, Jesse Puljujarvi opened the scoring, whacking away at a loose puck and putting it into the Avalanche net.

Pittsburgh continued to push forward. Alexandar Georgiev made a sprawling save to deny the initial chance. However, the Penguins regained possession of the puck in the neutral zone, and Bryan Rust made a power move to the net, scoring a goal.

The remainder of the first period continued to favor Pittsburgh, with Colorado going the final 10:53 without registering a shot on goal. To pile on, Pittsburgh held a 15-4 shots-on-goal advantage after 20 minutes.

2nd Period

The Avalanche started the second period with a better effort, taking three shots on goal and holding possession in the offensive zone in the first two minutes. Jared Bednar made some changes to the lines, which saw Nathan MacKinnon skating with Artturi Lehkonen and Jonathan Drouin. Consequently, Casey Mittelstadt moved up to the top line.

Although the Avalanche was short-handed due to Devon Toews‘ delay of game penalty, they managed to generate two odd-man rushes. Andrew Cogliano and Yakov Trenin had a 2-on-1 chance, but Cogliano missed the shot on goal. Brandon Duhaime led a rush into the offensive zone seconds later.

Unfortunately, Cale Makar‘s turnover in the neutral zone allowed Sidney Crosby to extend Pittsburgh’s lead. Crosby’s first attempt at goal was saved, but he then chipped the puck over Georgiev and into the top corner of the net. Less than two minutes later, Pierre-Olivier Joseph made it a four-goal lead for Pittsburgh by sending a shot through traffic and past Georgiev.

However, the Avalanche responded just 25 seconds later with Sean Walker‘s third goal since the trade deadline. The 29-year-old defenseman fired a shot from the point through traffic to end Alex Nedeljkovic‘s shutout bid. Before the period ended, Colorado pulled within two on Trenin’s goal after Walker initially hit the post with his shot.

3rd Period

The third period began with a bang as the Avalanche maintained their pressure. MacKinnon passed the puck to Drouin, who scored a one-timer from the right-wing circle, bringing Colorado back within a goal. MacKinnon’s assist extended his home point streak to 34 games.

Later, Mittelstadt lost control of his backhanded shot and collided with Nedeljkovic. The Pittsburgh netminder was shaken up on the play and briefly stayed in the game. After a few minutes, Tristan Jarry took over in net.

Drouin then repaid the favor to his former Halifax teammate, setting MacKinnon up from the left-wing circle for the game-tying goal. Nedeljkovic returned to the game and played the rest of the way.

Overtime

The Avalanche needed just 54 seconds in the extra session. MacKinnon, Drouin, and Makar took the ice and never relinquished possession.

After a couple of different attacks, Drouin kicked in an extra gear along the right side to the net. With Nedeljkovic down, Drouin skated through the goal mouth and buried the forehand shot.

With the victory, the Avalanche extended their win streak to nine games.

Up Next

The Avalanche’s homestand rolls on with a matchup against the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. MT.

(Featured Image Credit: AP Photo/David Zalubowski)