With both teams undefeated in the round robin so far, anticipation was high for the match-up between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Colorado Avalanche. The winner of the game would go on to hold the number one seed in the West going into the playoffs proper. Given the way these teams played against each other in the regular season, many were anticipating an Avalanche win today. However, Vegas won 4-3 in overtime, securing the top seed.
Because the elimination games have already been completed for the West, we now know that the Avs will be facing the Arizona Coyotes for the first round of the playoffs, which begin on August 11.
Hey, @ArizonaCoyotes, see you next week!#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/OrAn6b7Taa
— x – Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) August 8, 2020
First Period
In terms of scoring, this game started out quietly. Neither team managed to net a goal during the first period, despite passing penalties back and forth. The first third of the game was slow, with both teams seeming to take the time to feel each other out. The result of that hesitant style of play was a lot of time spent in the neutral zone, with no real sustained pressure around the nets.
The Avalanche went 0-for-3 on the powerplay in the first period, which was to be a grim glimpse into how the special teams would perform for the rest of the game. They were unable to get set up around the net, though they had a few good looks, including one shot by captain Gabriel Landeskog that struck iron.
Second Period
Things started to heat up in the middle frame of this game. Jonathan Marchessault opened the scoring 1:34 into the period. The goal came on the powerplay, resulting from Avs star Nathan MacKinnon receiving a penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct after exchanging a few words with the referees. It was a completely unnecessary penalty to take and it seemed to set the stage for how the Avalanche would continue to perform.
Perhaps to redeem the goal allowed on his penalty, MacKinnon then answered with a goal of his own, burying a messy backhand at 6:46, in the sole Avalanche powerplay goal of the game.
A little backhanded 🌪 action!#GoAvsGo https://t.co/vh6GKcYAWB
— x – Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) August 8, 2020
Vegas responded by netting another goal, this one by Nicolas Roy at 12:55 of the period. The Avalanche then tied it back at 2-2 when Joonas Donskoi buried the rebound off of a shot by J.T. Compher. This goal, like the earlier goal by MacKinnon, was characterized by a scramble in front of the net rather than the skilled shots the Avalanche usually take during games.
Third Period
Historically, the third period can either make or break the game for the Avalanche. In this game, it was the latter. This was another messy period with nothing much to celebrate. Through the full game, the Avs were consistently handling the puck far too much, neglecting to shoot.
Marchessault scored his second goal of the game on a penalty shot, courtesy of a tripping call on Avalanche defenseman Ryan Graves early in the third period. It was a poor play, showing the speed issues which occasionally cause Graves to scramble in his own end when faced with a breakaway.
parfait 👌#VegasBorn | @Raising_Canes pic.twitter.com/HLYnWpJiDl
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) August 8, 2020
Colorado managed to tie the game up with about one minute left to play. Compher buried the puck in a move almost identical to the one that resulted in the goal by Donskoi earlier. Regardless of how messy the play was, it was enough to send the game to overtime.
Overtime
The overtime period was a lesson in frustration. Much like the rest of the game, the Avalanche just didn’t shoot the puck, opting instead to handle and pass down the ice. It was no surprise, then, when the Knights won at 4:44 of the overtime period, with Alex Tuch securing the win.
What’s next?
The first round of the playoffs are due to begin the 11th, giving the Avs very little time to work out whatever issues rose to the surface today. They face the Coyotes, a team they went 1-1-0 against during the regular season.