The Colorado Avalanche lost a game they should have won. After building a 3-0 lead in the first period against the Edmonton Oilers, the Avalanche failed to move in for the kill. They let their opponent get back into the game.
The outcome: A 4-3 loss.
It was a tough loss, for sure. The Avs were in the driver’s seat. Nathan MacKinnon had scored two highlight-reel goals with MacKenzie Blackwood providing superb goaltending.
No, this loss was not on Blackwood. Had it not been for the Avs’ netminder, the game could have easily gotten out of control in a hurry. Blackwood’s first-period save on Leon Draisaitl kept the Avs ahead. Then, the saves he made down the stretch gave the Avalanche a chance to win.
This game falls squarely on the team around him. Notably, the first goal the Oilers scored, late in the first period, showed how the Avalanche let mental lapses get the better of them.
That first goal scored late in the first by Viktor Arvidsson started on a misplay. Josh Manson let Arvidsson get around him. Then, when Manson tried to poke the puck away from Arvidsson, Manson deflected the puck between Blackwood’s legs.
All three Oiler goals, including the game-tying marker from Connor McDavid, came on defensive miscues. But it was the game-winner by Evan Bouchard that truly stung.
Of course, Bouchard fired a rocket that was nearly impossible to stop. However, the play was possible due to the fact that three Avalanche players got caught scrambling around the front of the net. The Oilers moved the puck, got it to Bouchard, and he didn’t miss.
The goal should not have been a surprise as Bouchard had already let go of two similar shots earlier in the game. But the third time was the charm, and the Oilers took the two points from the Avalanche.