While some teams return from a break sleepy, the Colorado Avalanche had no trouble keeping their momentum going against the Arizona Coyotes, or so it seemed.
This is the third matchup between the two teams this season, the most recent being just before the holiday hiatus on Dec. 23, where they secured a 4–1 victory.
This time around, Colorado came ready to play and looking to secure its third straight win, but five unanswered goals did not go unpunished. Ultimately, the team fumbled the first of a two-game road trip with a 5–4 overtime loss.
First period
Right off the bat, Josh Manson and Arizona’s Jason Zucker were both awarded two-minute penalties for roughing. Neither team could score, and they spent the next 15 minutes engaged in a goalie battle.
Until Zucker was sent to the box for slashing Ross Colton, it did not appear either team could overcome the defensive block. Mikko Rantanen broke the stalemate on the power play, putting the Avalanche ahead by one. Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar assisted the goal and MacKinnon’s contribution extended his point streak to 19.
Raise your hand if you want more Mikko goals! 🙌#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/tY8AWINP2B
— x – Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) December 28, 2023
Second period
A source of criticism is Colorado’s performance during the second period. An inability to put the puck in the net coupled with allowing an opponent to close the goal margin has been a large contributor to many of the losses this season.
In the last meeting between the Coyotes and the Avalanche, Colorado worked through this setback and scored the only goals of the period, marking their fourth unanswered goal of the game.
Like déjà vu, the Avalanche had a suspiciously mirrored performance on Wednesday. Jonathan Drouin found the back of the net only a minute into the second frame, assisted by Colton and Devon Toews.
How you Drouin?#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/hSt531sWbX
— x – Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) December 28, 2023
Six minutes later, Logan O’Connor added to the action with passes from Manson and Bowen Byram.
A wraparound goal for LOC!#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/h7KtQ1oJSi
— x – Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) December 28, 2023
Makar drew a tripping penalty, placing the Avalanche on a power play. A few seconds later, he drew a second tripping penalty to send Colorado to a 5-on-3 advantage. MacKinnon found an opening and netted a goal, marking his, Rantanen’s and Makar’s second points of the game.
After allowing four unanswered goals, the Coyotes put a goal on the board, narrowing the margin to three, though the Avalanche dominated the second period with 12 shots on goal.
One point tonight wasn't enough. #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/Kmnyuc2KB4
— x – Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) December 28, 2023
Third period
With a lead securely in place, the Avalanche were sitting comfortably going into the final 20 minutes of regulation.
But sports have a way of never being easy. Almost four minutes into the period, the lead narrowed to two. Three minutes later, the Coyotes found another opening and were only one goal behind.
Arizona spent much of the period hovering around Alexandar Georgiev and the Avalanche struggled to make their way to the offensive zone. To force a tied game, Arizona emptied its net in favor of the extra attacker.
A mere two minutes to the end of the game was enough to get the job done. A fourth unanswered goal from the Coyotes forced extra time.
Overtime
The Avalanche wanted to put this game away. Living in the offensive zone, things looked promising.
But Colorado could not maintain the momentum they started with, and after Georgiev made a series of phenomenal saves, the constant offensive pressure rewarded the home team with a 5–4 overtime win.
Takeaways
Five unanswered goals are only considered normal when the Avalanche are scoring them. Both the offensive and defensive units completely unraveled in the third period, and it showed. Whether it was lack of communication or simple complacency, the team simply could not close out and fumbled in overtime.
Even though Colorado ultimately dropped the game, there were several good things happening on the ice.
Georgiev bailed the Avalanche out of several dangerous situations, especially the pressure during overtime. His recent performance resembles the goalie Avalanche fans were used to seeing throughout last season. With some confidence being built back up, he should find his feet again.
Georgieeeeeeee ❌🧱#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/B0t63njzFX
— x – Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) December 28, 2023
It is worth noting the effectiveness of the power play. The performance is wildly different from the beginning of the season. The Avalanche used to struggle to convert with the advantage, but the team went 2 for 3.
Next up, the Avs will finish their road trip against the St. Louis Blues. In the matchup on Nov. 11, Colorado suffered a horrific 8–2 loss and will look for redemption.