The Colorado Avalanche showcased their resilience by pulling out a 5-2 win over the Minnesota Wild at Ball Arena on Friday night. The win was huge as the Avalanche have been chasing the Wild all season long. With the win, the Avs now move into a third-place tie with the Wild in the Central Division.
The win was especially meaningful as the Avs’ resilience made the difference. With the Avalanche down 2-1 after the first, they stormed back with four unanswered goals to collect the two points. In particular, the way the Avs came out on fire in the second period was indicative of a desire to win the game.
Now, it’s worth pointing out that the Avs didn’t necessarily play a bad first period. It was just that the Wild got the upper hand by taking advantage of a couple of defensive miscues. But the Avs tightened up their game and got the goals they needed to take control.
In particular, I’d like to point out how Valeri Nichushkin was pivotal in getting things moving for Colorado. Nichushkin got the Avs on the board with his 12th of the season. The power play tally tied the game at one, allowing Colorado to respond to the Wild’s opening goal.
Then, the Avalanche turned up the heat, getting goals from depth players like Jack Drury. For Drury, the tally was his third in Colorado, and a big one as it proved to be the game-winner. That sort of production from the bottom six is something the Avs will need down the stretch and certainly in the postseason.
Ross Colton rekindling the magic for Colorado Avalanche
Ross Colton got two goals on Friday night. It had been a long time coming after his torrid start to the season. However, injuries have derailed Colton’s season. But the good news is that the two-goal effort against the Wild could be the spark that Colton needs to get back on the tear he was on earlier this season.
Colton now has 15 goals on the season and looks to be on pace to break 20. Considering the injuries he’s dealt with this season, surpassing the 20-goal mark would make this year a successful one. Most importantly, Colton is a versatile player that can move up and down the line. So, getting goals all over the lineup is something the Avs desperately need.
Overall, Colton and the Avalanche played a solid game. MacKenzie Blackwood provided his usually reliable goaltending. Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar did their thing without exploding on the scoresheet.
That’s actually a good thing. It’s nice to win crucial games even without MacKinnon and Makar being the main stars on the night. Such results bode well as the Avs look to make a deep playoff run this season.