The Colorado Avalanche returned home from Dallas after a split road trip. The Colorado Avalanche had a tough time in their last matchup against the Dallas Stars, but they found their groove late in the game and fought against the clock with their effort.
With a 5–3 loss on Thursday and the series tied at one, the return to Ball Arena would be crucial. The Avalanche have not led a game at any point during the series, and a first period push from Dallas kept the trend going.
Overview
As opposed to game two, game three didn’t have game-changing penalties. Rather, the team struggled to find an offensive rhythm in the first period. Spending 20 minutes out of sync in the offensive zone proved too deadly.
Dallas got on the board at the end of the first period, leaving the Avalanche scrambling to gain a lead.
Logan Stankoven breaks the ice for Dallas 🚨#TexasHockeypic.twitter.com/kaqaDL8Z43
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) May 12, 2024
The team was consistently missing passes and over skating pucks. Dallas picked up the pucks left for teammates and ran with them without hesitation.
The second period held a better performance, even resulting in a goal from Mikko Rantanen off of a rebound from Nathan MacKinnon. Not only was this goal a relief on the scoreboard, but it also was a stark contrast from the game two statistics. Neither Rantanen nor MacKinnon recorded a shot, which is not a good look for two top-line forwards.
MIIIIIKKOOOOOO RAAAANTANEN!#GoAvsGo | #ALLIN pic.twitter.com/4Wi6vDNuRM
— x – Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) May 12, 2024
The Avalanche consistently outshot the Stars, and their lone goal took 20 shots to find. Colorado had several chances in high-danger zones, but Stars goalie Jake Oettinger seemed to beat them to the punch every time.
A second Stars goal going on the scoreboard killed Colorado’s momentum, leaving the team at a 2-1 deficit at the end of the second period.
Tyler Seguin responds for Dallas thanks to Dadonov's great feed, restoring the Stars lead!#TexasHockey pic.twitter.com/PesLo6znKZ
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) May 12, 2024
The home team found their saving grace in the performance of Alexandar Georgiev, who has been locked in since the series against the Winnipeg Jets. He had several clutch saves to keep the game within reach for Colorado.
Huge save from Georgiev. #GoAvsGo @TheRinkColorado https://t.co/nqAcCDwkMf
— Savvy Rafkin (@savvyrafkin) May 12, 2024
The coach pulled Georgiev from the ice late in the third period in favor of the extra attacker. The team could not keep the puck under control in the offensive zone, allowing the Stars to net two additional goals.
Takeaways
In games like this, especially in the series against Dallas, the game changers come down to the little things. The Avalanche could not convert on any of their three power plays and had 12 giveaways.
The top defensive pair picked up five shots on goal each, with MacKinnon and Rantanen each picking up four. At the very least, this is an improvement from their last showing, where MacKinnon and Rantanen came up empty.
The team failed to play a full 60 minutes, appearing lackadaisical in the third period despite the Stars clearly becoming fatigued.
The two teams will face off again on Monday at 7:30 p.m. in Denver.
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