Late Tuesday night the Colorado Avalanche completed a successful Southern California back-to-back in their 5-1 disposal of the Anaheim Ducks. It capped off a stretch of five games in seven nights following the Olympic break and the Avalanche now get two days of rest before the trade deadline.
The Game
Colorado got the scoring going early and often with Cale Makar landing on the scoresheet first in this contest. The opening period also saw a new trick in the Avalanche arsenal — a power play goal. Utilizing the brilliant idea of having Martin Nečas take the one-timer from the left side worked again as the Avalanche entered the first intermission with a 2-0 lead.
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A bit of drama in this game came from the Ducks early in the second period when Cutter Gauthier took advantage of a scramble in the Avalanche zone to cut the lead. By the end of the period, however, order would be restored on the first of two Parker Kelly goals on the night and a 3-1 Avalanche lead at the second intermission.
The third period was largely academic as the Avalanche were not going to give up their lead. Gabe Landeskog overachieved by finding the back of the net on a great feed from Nathan MacKinnon for the latter’s 100th point on the season. Parker Kelly added another insurance goal at the midpoint and Colorado secured the 5-1 victory.
Takeaways
It was announced prior to the game that Artturi Lehkonen is out week-to-week with the upper-body injury suffered in Los Angeles. In his place Jason Polin was recalled from the Colorado Eagles and played eight minutes on the fourth line.
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Now the focus turns to the upcoming trade deadline before the team’s next game. How many players have played their last game in an Avalanche uniform?
Upcoming
Another important Central Division game in a showdown with the Dallas Stars on Friday, March 6th. Puck drop is at 6:00 p.m. MT in the Lone Star State.
