Avalanche make statement as top line explodes against Lightning

The Colorado Avalanche showed up on Friday night at Ball Arena, knocking off the Tampa Bay Lightning 6-3.

The win got the Avs off the schneid, following tough back-to-back losses in New Jersey and Philadelphia.

Colorado received contributions throughout the lineup, but the top line did most of the damage. Nathan MacKinnon, Martin Necas, and Artturi Lehkonen combined for nine points, while the power play chipped in, and MacKenzie Blackwood made 31 saves.

The Avalanche still have some defensive issues to clean up, but this was a massive step forward. Let’s take a look at the key points of the night.

Avalanche top line erupts for nine points

MacKinnon was the big story of the night, finishing with a goal and three assists. Necas added a goal and two assists, while Lehkonen contributed a goal and an assist. Together, they accounted for nine points, showing what happens to teams that don’t stop the Avalanche’s top guys.

MacKinnon's four-point performance pushed him to 20 points (7G, 13A) in 11 games, putting him third in the NHL scoring race, following Friday night’s game.

MacKinnon scored this beauty to make the game 5-2:

Necas also continues to look like a legitimate candidate for another 100-point season. His vision and ability to create chances complement MacKinnon's speed, while Lehkonen does the work that makes the combination click.

After the game, Necas praised Lehkonen's positioning and contributions, emphasizing that his linemate is consistently underrated.

“He's very underrated. He's always in a good spot. He creates so much space out there for me and (MacKinnon) to play a little bit around. Feels like every time he gets the puck, it's a chance. He's a great player. He plays great defense. You don't really find players like him.”

The comments captured by NHL.com highlight how Lehkonen always seems to be in the right place. Here’s one example:

Lehkonen is often overshadowed by MacKinnon and Necas, but his nine goals through Colorado's opening 11 games tell their own story. The Avalanche aren't just getting production from their stars; they're getting it from a winger who makes those stars better.

Power play finally gives Colorado a boost

The Avalanche's power play has been under scrutiny since Brett McLean took over for David Hakstol. Friday offered a reason for optimism, with Colorado converting once on three opportunities.

Nazem Kadri scored his first goal of the season on the man advantage, finishing a feed from T.J. Hughes to give the Avalanche a 2-0 lead.

It was a timely breakthrough for Kadri, who had generated plenty of shots without finding the back of the net.

The penalty kill had a more difficult night, allowing one power-play goal on six Tampa Bay opportunities. Colorado slogged through a penalty-filled second period, derailing much of the momentum it had built in the first.

While the power play goal was a huge step forward, the needless time spent on the penalty kill gave Tampa a chance to get back into the game, especially with blown calls going in their favor.

Controversial play did not favor Colorado

With the game 4-1, and in the dying seconds of a Tampa Bay power play, Nelson attempted to clear the puck out of the Avalanche zone. Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov batted the puck down with a high stick.

But instead of the play being waved off for delay of game, the sequence ensued, leading to Tampa’s second goal of the night.

It was evident that the goal should have been waved off, but the officials in the situation room upheld the call on the ice. The botched challenge cost Colorado a challenge and gave Tampa another power play.

Avalanche a much better Effort against a tough opponent

Colorado's biggest victory might have been the overall performance. After losing two straight on the road, the Avalanche built a 3-0 lead and responded whenever Tampa Bay threatened to make things interesting.

The Lightning outshot Colorado 34-24, and defensive miscues helped Jake Guentzel score twice.

In this play, the Lightning took Josh Manson to school:

The Avalanche weren't flawless, particularly when they got into penalty trouble, but they did enough to control the game's most important moments.

Blackwood was a major reason why. His 31 saves helped Colorado withstand Tampa Bay's pressure and preserve its lead. Jared Bednar called it the team's most complete effort of the season, a significant endorsement after the frustration of the previous two games.

“That was probably our most complete effort of the year. Close as you can get with all the penalties in the second period. I thought we had a great first, 5-on-5 in the second was really good. I mean, you're killing, like, I think we had six straight penalties, right, when it all adds up at one point in the game.

The Avalanche improved to 6-4-1, while Tampa Bay's three-game winning streak came to an end. Colorado still needs to tighten up defensively, but this was the kind of response the team needed.

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