Avalanche got reaction they needed in comeback win over Blackhawks

The Colorado Avalanche were on a path to self-destruction on Monday night against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center.

Fortunately for everyone involved (except the Blackhawks and their fans), the Avs were able to rally and cruised to a 5-2 win.

Colorado fell behind 2-0 in the first period but responded with five unanswered goals to earn a decisive victory over the last-place Blackhawks.

The win extended the Avalanche's winning streak to three games and gave them a much-needed boost after struggling on the road.

The game got off to a rocky start. Chicago needed just over seven minutes to build its two-goal advantage. Wyatt Kaiser opened the scoring 57 seconds into the game, with Roman Kantserov doubling the lead at 7:05 after finishing a rush set up by Connor Bedard.

The Avalanche managed to settle down and tie the game in less than a minute. Colorado controlled the pace the rest of the way, putting the kibosh on any hopes of a Chicago upset win.

Kadri and Schwartz led Avalanche comeback

Colorado's response began late in the first period, and it didn't take long for the game to look completely different.

Nazem Kadri got the Avalanche on the board at 15:23, finishing a play involving Gabriel Landeskog and Brent Burns. Just 26 seconds later, Jaden Schwartz tied the game off a setup from T.J. Hughes and Devon Toews.

It’s worth pointing out that the Avalanche had gotten on the board much earlier, but a Landeskog goal got called back due to goalie interference.

Kadri then gave the Avalanche their first lead at 13:38 of the second period. His power-play goal came off a Cale Makar shot, with Nathan MacKinnon also picking up an assist. The goal was certainly encouraging, as it’s a sign that the power play continues to improve under Brett MacLean.

Schwartz added his second of the night with just 11 seconds remaining in the period, redirecting a Sam Malinski shot past Spencer Knight. That goal gave Colorado a two-goal cushion and left Chicago with very little room to recover.

Devon Toews added an empty-net goal late in the third to complete the scoring. Kadri and Schwartz finished with two goals apiece, while Hughes contributed two assists. Mackenzie Blackwood stopped 21 shots for Colorado.

Colorado got the response they needed

While the comeback win was certainly one response, the bigger story was how the club reacted to the attempted cheap shot on Makar.

Late in the first period, Chicago blueliner Artyom Levshunov charged at Makar along the board, clearly coming off his feet and lunging at Makar. The shot knocked the Norris Trophy winner back, with his helmet coming off.

The hit drew an immediate reaction from Martin Necas, not exactly known for his truculence. But it was the exact sort of response that the Avalanche have to deliver in those situations. It doesn’t matter who’s on the receiving end or who’s on the ice, the reaction is just the same.

Following the game, Landeskog had some choice words on the matter.

“I didn’t like it at all. I thought it was more than just a two-minute elbowing, too. I think he leaves his feet and I think he makes head contact. So, I think it’s, at least should have been reviewed for that, but the refs aren’t going to call it, then we gotta take it into out hands a little bit.”

So, that’s exactly what the captain did.

The hit sent a message.

The Avalanche will now head to Columbus for a Tuesday night matchup with the Columbus Blue Jackets. A win could move Colorado two points off the Central Division lead.

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