The Colorado Avalanche pulled out a thrilling comeback win against the New York Rangers at home on Tuesday night. The win was arguably the team’s gutsiest one this season as the Avs came back from a 2-1 deficit getting the equalizer in the dying second of the third.
Devon Toews was money in the bank again, getting the game-winner with about 30 seconds to go in the extra frame. But the real star of the night was MacKenzie Blackwood. Blackwood went toe-to-toe with all-world netminder Igor Shesterkin.
And frankly, I couldn’t tell the difference.
Blackwood was brilliant. He and Shesterkin traded highlight-reel saves all game long. But the biggest save came in overtime when Mika Zibanejad got a breakaway, going one-on-one with Blackwood. Blackwood made a huge glove save to keep the Avs in the game.
Less than a minute later, Toews ended the game with a beautiful one-timer from Nathan MacKinnon.
If there was any lingering doubt that Blackwood was the real deal for Colorado, Tuesday night’s performance should have put a lid on the conversation. Blackwood looked like a Conn Smythe Trophy-winning goaltender who could carry his team in a tight playoff game.
Make no mistake. The New York Rangers are a good hockey team. They have the world’s best goalie, according to most pundits. The win was not the Avs struggling to come back against the San Jose Sharks or Anaheim Ducks.
This a game worthy of a Stanley Cup Final.
Blackwood stole game for the Colorado Avalanche
In the past, I’ve written about how Shesterkin has stolen games for the New York Rangers. I’m talking about games that they wouldn’t have otherwise won if hadn’t been for Shesterkin’s heroics.
The same applies to the Avalanche in this game.
The Avs would not have won the game without Blackwood’s brilliant performance. I say that because Blackwood stopped at least three shots that should have been goals in the first period. If we assume the Rangers had scored on one or two of those chances, the game could have been 2-0 or 3-1by the end of the first period.
Blackwood’s performance also allowed the Avs to stay long enough in the game to get the equalizer late. Of course, the team deserves kudos for hanging in there and coming up with a huge goal to tie the game late.
But then, the overtime save on Zibanejad was the difference-maker. If Zibanejad scores, the game is over. However, Blackwood made the save and allowed his team to come back to win the game.
Moving forward, the Avalanche’s confidence will continue to grow as they play with a bona fide number-one netminder behind them. That psychological boost is hard to come by. Fortunately, the Avs got it and could now be poised to make a strong run in the second half of the season.