Colorado Avalanche: Highs and Lows from the Ducks Loss

The Colorado Avalanche dropped a home game in overtime. They got a hard-earned point, though, so they’re still fighting for playoff position.

The Colorado Avalanche limped through another game like the walking wounded they are. No, really, the injury bug is chomping away at them.

Even our captain is injured:

Butter knife, he says. No thanks, Gabe says.

At least he played. Tonight, the Avalanche had to play without four of their five top scorers. Mikko Rantanen and Nazem Kadri have been out since February. Cale Makar and Andre Burakovsky have been out the last couple games.

Also, according to the coaching staff, neither of those players will be going on the three-game road trip. While Kadri and Rantanen were skating in no-contact red today, presumably they won’t be going on the roadie either.

Philipp Grubauer was out there, too. No concrete timeline on his return either.

That’s the lowlights from tonight’s game — that and the fact that the Avalanche lost in overtime. But they got a point. And on that high note, let’s look at some of the highlights from tonight’s game.

MacKinnon Scored

Nathan MacKinnon scored for the first time in eight games. He had to be feeling it. However, he finally got on the score sheet with this power play tally:

MacKinnon makes it look so easy you wonder why it was so hard for him for seven games. Also, love the classic MacKinnon celly — all fierce, no joy.

MacKinnon also broke Ryan Getzlaff’s ankles:

https://twitter.com/Avalanche/status/1235434468900368384

Geez, doesn’t Nate know that Getzlaff has a family? Anyway, with his two-point night, MacKinnon is now at 88 points.

Landeskog Entered the Scoring Race

The captain has entered the chat.

No, really, remember when I said the Colorado Avalanche were playing without four of their top five scorers? That’s now four of their top six. Gabriel Landeskog and his broken nose had a three-point night. With that total, he overtook Kadri for #5 on the team.

Captain got a power play goal:

That’s a hard-working goal.

Other Players Had Good Nights

It was a rough night for some players. However, other players did very well.

Tyson Jost had himself a night. He’s been making the most of his extra time on the ice because of the injuries. Tonight he recorded two shots and was just a Getzlaff check away from the game-winning goal in overtime.

New guy Vladislav Namestnikov also had himself a night. He’s fitting in pretty well with his new team. Tonight he even recorded a goal.

Pride Night was Successful

I’d like to discuss Pride Night in more detail, including the need for such a night. However, the night seemed to be greatly appreciated by the LBGTQ+ community and their allies, of which I’m one.

For me, the highlight of the night for Pride was the video the Colorado Avalanche made:

What’s more, it’s reported that the majority of the Pride Night gear was sold out pretty much as soon as it went on sale.

Hockey is For Everyone.

Anyway, the Colorado Avalanche got a tough point out of tonight’s game. They’re now off on a road trip to the West Coast. It includes a trip to Vancouver but, alas, like I said, Makar won’t be there.

But then, Quinn Hughes is said to be injured, too. Hopefully they’re both healthy for a showdown in Pepsi Center on March 13.