The last time the Colorado Avalanche played the Boston Bruins on home ice, the team comprised a sizable chunk of the Colorado Eagles roster.
Though still missing several key players, fresh additions to the roster and a determination to secure a victory prevailed. Throughout the game, the team consistently improved its metrics, and their effort was reflected in the 4–3 nail-biter final score.
First period
After an 8–4 loss against the Florida Panthers on Saturday, the Avalanche needed to make sure they didn’t allow their opponent to pull ahead early.
The Bruins took advantage of their first power play opportunity 11 minutes into the period and put a goal on the board. Historically, the Avalanche have had a problem with allowing consecutive unanswered goals.
Five minutes later, Mikko Rantanen put his own power play goal on the board. Nathan MacKinnon’s assist lengthened his home point streak to 22 games. Cale Makar was credited with the secondary assist.
Nate ➡️ Cale ➡️ Mikko. You can see this trio at the ASG.#NHLAllStarVote Mikko Rantanen#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/CKe1CX5GP1
— x – Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) January 9, 2024
Colorado spent a considerable amount of time in the offensive zone, putting up 13 shots to Boston’s five.
Second period
The offensive attack was not just in the first period. Entering the second frame with a tie meant the team would have to continue to apply pressure around the goal.
Logan O’Connor did exactly that. He took the puck away from the Bruins and dumped the puck into the back of the net unassisted.
"Oops I'll just take that." – Logan O'Connor probably #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/pL6s1tl0Er
— x – Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) January 9, 2024
Now with the lead, the Avalanche were going to have to keep it. For eight minutes, they did.
Tied at two with only a few minutes left in the period, Sam Malinski came through and scored his second goal of the season to put Colorado back in the lead.
Gets called up this morning.
Scores a goal this evening. #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/FXhbCuICuN
— x – Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) January 9, 2024
The Bruins caught up to the Avalanche in shots for the period, only trailing by one.
Third period, overtime, and the shootout
The last frame was both uneventful and problematic. Both teams are incredibly well matched, and Boston’s Brad Marchand’s second goal of the game would be the last goal scored in regulation.
Both teams desperately tried to score during the following 14 minutes of the third period. At the regulation buzzer, Colorado had a 12–8 shot advantage.
Alexandar Georgiev held the net down in overtime, saving all four of the Bruins’ shots when the Avalanche could only put up one of their own.
At the end of the overtime period, the pressure was at an all-time high. Georgiev saved all three shots from Boston, but the attempts from MacKinnon and Rantanen were unsuccessful. Finally, Valeri Nichushkin found the back of the net and secured the win for the Avalanche.
A shootout win for just another manic Monday. #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/RxcudIJ9E8
— x – Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) January 9, 2024
Takeaways
The most noticeable change on the ice has been the performance of Samuel Girard. After his return to the team from the NHLPA program, he has been more aggressive, both defensively and offensively. He has been putting up more shots, keeping up with and taking away opportunities from opponents, and he is a large reason for the success since his return.
Colorado really excelled in takeaways. The team had 17 takeaways, one of the most important being with O’Connor’s goal in the second frame. In their last game against the Panthers, they had seven takeaways, coupled with five giveaways.
Finally, a huge source of accomplishment is the number of hits the Avalanche applied. The team put up 20 hits, far outshining the nine from the Bruins. With this aggression and physicality, it allows the team to break up plays and stop potential threats.
The Avalanche will face off against the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday, Jan. 10.