Avalanche news: Blowout win, dropping the gloves, injury update

The Colorado Avalanche have seemingly found their groove once again. Thursday night’s huge 8-2 against the Ottawa Senators win catapulted the Avs back into the win column with what was a statement game.

The Avs are now 32-4-7 for 71 points in the Central Division. Despite the brief two-game skid, Colorado remains 11 points up on the Dallas Stars and the Minnesota Wild. The outburst against the Ottawa Senators also elevated the Avalanche to a +76 goal differential.

In short, Colorado’s numbers continue to stun the league. So, here’s a look at the latest Avalanche news.

Blowout win at home

The story of Thursday night’s game was the blowout win against the visiting Ottawa Senators. The Senators were reeling, going through a two-game skid. However, the wheels completely fell off the Sens.

The Avalanche entered the game looking to get back on track. They didn’t take their foot off the gas, heading into the dressing room with a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes. But the second period was the sort of stuff you can’t make up.

The Avs opened up a 3-0 lead before the Senators got on the board. The Sens looked to be clawing their way back into the game, following a goalie change. Then, Ottawa came completely unraveled. The Avalanche scored five more times in the second period to chase backup goalie Mads Sogard, who had come in relief.

All told, Nathan MacKinnon ended the night with a goal and three assists, Josh Manson had two goals and two assists, Cale Makar had a goal and two assists, with Brock Nelson getting two goals and one assist. Ross Colton had three helpers, while Martin Necas had a goal and an assist of his own.

Scott Wedgewood, meanwhile, stopped 29 of 31 shots for the win.

It’s also worth pointing out that the Avalanche took advantage of the Senators’ lack of discipline, going 2-for-6 on the power play. The Avs’ power play has steadily climbed out of the league cellar and is now 24th with a 16.8% rate. That’s yet another encouraging sign moving forward.

Avalanche blueliners drop the gloves

The Senators are known for being a physical club that often crosses the line on the ice. That attitude was a major part of their implosion in Colorado. But if the Senators thought they would subdue the Avalanche, they had another thing coming.

Josh Manson earned his Gordie Howe hat trick by dropping the gloves against Ottawa resident tough guy Tyler Kleven in the first period. Manson acted in response to Kleven’s hit on Ivan Ivan.

Despite Manson’s clear lesson, the Senators needed another round. That one came courtesy of Samuel Girard. Early in the third period, the evidently frustrated Senators tried to get something going. But it was Tim Stutzle of all people who tried to sucker punch Girard.

Well, that didn’t go too well for Stutzle:

Girard tried to avoid the confrontation. But you know, when push comes to shove, you stand your ground. That’s what Girard did, costing Stutzle whatever street cred he might have gotten.

The two incidents make me think, though, that the Avalanche could use a resident pugilist. Maybe Ryan Reaves can come over just on certain nights?

Injury updates

The Avalanche continue to play shorthanded, as several regulars remain out of the lineup. But the news appears to be encouraging. Corey Masisak of the Denver Post added this update on Thursday:

The news sounds fantastic, and Devon Toews and Joel Kiviranta. They could be back sooner rather than later. However, it sounds like captain Gabriel Landeskog may need a little more time to determine how much longer he could be out.

There’s still time, however, for Landeskog to be ready for the Olympics. So, there’s definitely some hope there.

As for MacKenzie Blackwood, there was some chatter that he could have been in the lineup against the Senators. That wasn’t the case, of course. But he could be nearing a return soon. Perhaps Blackwood could hit the ice at some point in this homestand.

As for Logan O’Connor, Masisak added this:

O’Connor’s injury is of the long-term variety. There’s no timetable on when the rugged winger could be back in the lineup, if at all this season.