NEWARK, N.J. — The 2020 undefeated Avalanche opened up the second half of its season Saturday night using its 25th victory in its 42nd match, defeating the New Jersey Devils 5-2 at the Prudential Center.
Kathy Willens, The Associated PressColorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) skates with the puck through the first period of the team’s NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020, at Newark, N.J.
Colorado got a hat tip against winger Mikko Rantanen — that the last one within an empty net with eight minutes remaining — and only one goal each from defenseman Ian Cole and center Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, and another multiple-point performance from all-star center Nathan MacKinnon (two assists), who’s presently a point shy of leading the NHL in scoring.
Goalie Philipp Grubauer finished with 28 saves and needed a 16-save shutout through two periods.
“Good validity. I thought we had involved and played a few fantastic pace,” stated Avs coach Jared Bednar, whose team is 2-0 at the new calendar year. “Got some good saves from Gruby. … Pretty good effort from these men. ”
RELATED: Cale Makar and UMass converge in Denver
Adhering to a late surge from the Devils, who scored a goal to acquire inside 3-1, Bellemare scored a controversial shorthanded goal after teammate Matt Calvert Forged with Mackenzie Blackwood to take the goalie.
New Jersey contested the play for goaltending hindrance, however, the purpose was upheld. If the goal had been disallowed, the Devils could have had a two-man advantage plus a terrific opportunity to acquire within 3-2.
“When Blackwood went to reunite into the internet, I believed his leg clipped Calvert. So I believed it was contact and also the purpose would be useful, and that’s precisely what it was known by them,” Bednar stated.
Said Calvert: “He swung his leg and tripped me, but in turn. ‘Belle’ scores, and I was very surprised to find that the ref call the goal since generally it goes the other way. But now we ll accept it. Major one to us. ”
Kathy Willens, The Associated PressColorado Avalanche defensemen Ryan Graves (27) and Erik Johnson (6 ) ) celebrate center Pierre-Edouard Bellemare (41) after Bellemare scored against New Jersey Devils goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood, (29) through the third period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020, at Newark, N.J.. The Avalanche won 5-2.
Rantanen gave the Avs a 3-0 lead into the third period, tying Antti Laaksonen with the goal to start a period in club history; Laaksonen’s goal came against Columbus in 2006.
“Had some offensive struggles but got the rebounds tonight,” stated Rantanen, that had a small four points (two goals) in his previous seven games. “You just have to keep grinding. If you get opportunities, you know (the objectives ) are going to come at some point. Tonight was the night. Amazing team effort. ”
The Avs took control with two goals in five minutes of the second period. At 11:23, Rantanen took a flip pass from MacKinnon and wristed it supporting Blackwood from the circle. Cole used a slap shot from the point.
New Jersey, that got a goal from Blake Coleman at 6:36 of the third stage, had won three straight and was 4-0-1 in its last five.
Associated Articles
Chambers: Cale Makar and UMass converge in Denver
Cale Makar’s former UMass teammates unsurprised by his instant Avalanche success
Analysis: At period ’s mid-point, Avalanche on track for potential long run
Avalanche breaks out of slump, routs Stanley Cup winner Blues
Avalanche prospect Justus Annunen shuts out U.S. at junior worlds to set up Finland-Canada semifinal
Colorado (25-13-4) moved into 54 points, tied to second-most in the Western Conference — five points supporting Central Division rival St. Louis, which has played one more match.
The Avs opened the new year with a triumph over the Blues at the Pepsi Center on Thursday.
“Two major wins to start. We wish to keep it rolling,” ” Rantanen explained.
The Avs keep their three-game road trip Monday at the New York Islanders at Long Island. They ll turn around and play the New York Rangers on Tuesday at Manhattan.
Footnotes. First-year Avs forward Nazem Kadri played 600th career match. … Avs forward Valeri Nichushkin was a late scratch due to illness. He had been replaced by Russian Vladislav Kamenev. Colorado’s scratch was defenseman Mark Barberio. The Avs supposed to move with the identical lineup that produced Thursday’s 7-3 rout more than St. Louis until Nichushkin’s disease. … The Devils missed forward Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt to injuries.
Buy Tickets for every event – Sports, Concerts, Festivals and more buy tickets dot com concerts