yardbarker
In a Wednesday night matchup in Denver, the Colorado Avalanche used a four-goal third period to secure a 5-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils, bringing an end to New Jersey's four-game winning streak. Nazem Kadri and Parker Kelly scored just 1:02 apart early in the third to break a tie game and propel Colorado to the win.
Kadri finished with a goal and an assist, while Jaden Schwartz contributed a goal and an assist. Gabriel Landeskog and Nathan MacKinnon also found the back of the net for the Avalanche, who lost defenseman Josh Manson to a lower-body injury late in the first period. Manson was injured when he twisted awkwardly along the boards while battling for the puck, did not play in the second period, and was ruled out before the third began.
Brent Burns recorded two assists, moving him into 10th place all-time in points by a defenseman with 950. Sam Malinski also had two assists, and Mackenzie Blackwood made 20 saves for Colorado. For New Jersey, Connor Brown scored his first two goals of the season, and Jake Allen made 39 saves.
The Avalanche had a power-play opportunity in the first period, but the Devils struck first. Brown intercepted MacKinnon's pass in the New Jersey zone, skated down the right side, and his pass attempt through the slot deflected off Cale Makar's skate and past Blackwood's pads at 12:21. It was the fourth short-handed goal Colorado has allowed this season.
Colorado outshot New Jersey 21-6 in the second period and tied the game on their second power play when Schwartz sent the puck through the slot to Landeskog, who stuffed it inside the post at 10:58. The Devils got their first power-play chance late in the second and then had a 5-on-3 advantage when Burns was called for tripping with 32 seconds left in the period. The Avalanche killed off both penalties to keep the game tied.
Moments later, Colorado took the lead when Kadri beat Allen at 2:45, and Kelly's wrist shot at 3:47 made it a two-goal lead. MacKinnon iced the game with a breakaway goal at 12:00, Schwartz scored 30 seconds later, and Brown answered for New Jersey at 15:35.
Key Analysis
The Avalanche's third-period surge showcased their resilience after losing Manson and killing off a crucial 5-on-3 disadvantage. The four-goal outburst, highlighted by Kadri and Kelly's quick strikes, turned a tied game into a decisive victory. New Jersey's four-game win streak came to an abrupt end despite Brown's two goals and Allen's 39 saves, as Colorado's depth and special teams proved pivotal.
Originally reported by yardbarker.