Game Recap: Mackenzie Blackwood steals the show as Colorado Avalanche gets back on track against the New York Rangers

On their first game of this five-game home stand, the Colorado Avalanche won an overtime thriller against the New York Rangers by a final score of 3-2.

Let’s take a look at all the action from tonight!

First Period

After both teams exchanged some chances early in this game, Colorado would be the one to get on the board first. This play initially started with Cale Makar taking the puck up high in the offensive zone. Makar would give the puck back down along the boards to Ross Colton from there. From there, Parker Kelly managed to find a soft spot in the middle of the ice, Colton was able to find him, and Kelly buried the puck past Igor Shesterkin.

Colorado’s powerplay woes would continue in this game, as they would surrender a short-handed goal to the Rangers. At the start of this sequence, Makar would start with the puck at the top of the zone and fanned on the puck. Sam Carrick then managed to spring himself for a breakaway after grabbing the puck and tied this game at one.

Second Period

About halfway through the second period, the Rangers would manage to score the go-ahead goal. Adam Edstrom would make it 2-1 after New York would get a 2-on-1 break. After a faceoff in the Avs’ offensive zone, two Rangers players managed to get behind the Avs’ defense, and Edstrom would put the puck past Blackwood.

Third Period

While it took almost the entire period, Colorado would manage to find the equalizer and send this game to overtime. With the goalie pulled, Colorado made good use of the man-advantage. Mikko Rantanen would walk into a one-timer from the top of the circles, and Artturi Lehkonen, who was camped right at the net front, would tie this game up and secure at least one point for the Avs.

Overtime

With under a minute left in the overtime period, Devon Toews would send Colorado home with the win. After killing off a Rangers power play opportunity, the Avs would get some offensive zone time at the end of this overtime period. Logan O’Connor would start with the puck around the front of the net. After he wasn’t able to score, O’Connor fed the puck up to Nathan MacKinnon, who would set up Toews for the overtime winner.

Takeaways

After a game against the Winnipeg Jets where the Avs were unable to solve a good goaltender in Connor Hellebyuck, it certainly feels good that Colorado was able to ultimately solve Igor Shesterkin tonight. And on the topic of good goaltending, what a performance from Mackenzie Blackwood. Without his play in net, Colorado probably doesn’t win this game, given how many breakaways and odd-man rushes the team in front of him gave up.

While the result is ultimately what matters, the process did not look pretty at times, especially on the powerplay. The Avs went 0-for-3 on the power play tonight and even went as far as to give up a short-handed goal. Something’s got to change on that front, and hopefully, it happens soon. No team can expect to survive off of goaltending play every single night and no production with the man advantage. Overall, after a disappointing three-game road trip, Colorado certainly got back on track here tonight.

Upcoming

The Colorado Avalanche will continue its five-game home stand on Thursday, January 16, as they take on the Edmonton Oilers. Puck drop is at 7:30 p.m. MT for all to see on ESPN.