Val Nichushkin scores 100th goal in a night filled with milestones, Avs win over Buffalo Sabres

The Condor returned to Colorado to soar once more, this time in a Buffalo Sabres jersey.

It was an emotional night for many, but just like Erik Johnson said this morning, there was a “business meeting” to get to first before both parties could reminisce.

Jared Bednar went back to a similar lineup from the Calgary game and gave Ivan Prosvetov the start after strong performance in net during the third period.

After a solid first period, the Avs set themselves up for success in their 5-1 win over the Sabres. They finished 3-2-0 in their five game homestand. Along the way, they unlocked several career milestones for a few players, and Mikko Rantanen and Nathan MacKinnon were reawakened.

Five minutes into the contest, Cale Makar worked hard along the boards in a puck battle and Val Nichushkin helped to retrieve the puck. Nathan MacKinnon got the puck in transition and left the puck for Mikko Rantanen inside the offensive zone.

Rantanen skated the puck around net and scored on Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen on the wrap-around.

After the first commercial timeout and video tribute to Erik Johnson, during which he received a standing ovation, the Avs continued to get to work.

Fredrik Olofsson joined Nichushkin deep in Buffalo’s end and applied pressure behind the Sabres’ net. Rantanen received the puck out high and sent it back toward the net. Eventually Olofsson got the puck around the netfront and lost it under duress, but Nichushkin was there to wrist it bar-down.

A little over a minute later, Sam Malinski poke-checked Erik Johnson defending on the backcheck and forced Johnson to turn it over to Miles Wood at the defensive blue line. Wood took off on the breakaway and wristed it past Luukkonen.

It was Wood’s fifth goal of the season and Malinski’s third point in four games.

Colorado received their first powerplay opportunity and created three chances on net without Cale Makar who left for a brief period but later returned.

Late in the first, Ross Colton accidentally flubbed the puck on a clear and Josh Manson tried to come to his aid, but Buffalo escaped with it. The puck got to Rasmus Dahlin who shot it on net from the inside the left-circle. Zach Benson was at the crease to bang the rebound home.

Rantanen took a holding penalty and the kill extended into the second period.

Despite the late goal-against, the Avs had a dominant first period. They effortlessly killed the penalty in the second, but Buffalo had a few good looks too.

The Sabres used that to their advantage and gained a slight advantage in the shots battle. They spent a lot of time in Colorado’s end and kept Colorado without a shot on net until midway through the second.

The pendulum swung quite a bit the other way, but the Avs received good goaltending and didn’t allow any goals.

Miles Wood went to the box for roughing, and Buffalo had another good powerplay opportunity. They created five attempts, two on net.

Colorado only had four shots on net total in the second period to Buffalo’s fifteen.

“Our forecheck wasn’t really effective the second period,” said Bednar. “Although I thought we defended pretty hard and did an ok job five-on-five, we spent way too much time on our half of the ice. It wasn’t (anywhere) near as effective, but the penalty kill got the job done.”

Their goals in the first period bought them necessary insurance.

In the opening minutes of the final period, Malinski ensured he left his mark on this game.

The second line cycled the puck in the offensive zone. Jack Johnson got the puck at the point and passed to Sam Malinski at the left-circle. Malinski sent a nice one-timer far-side, top corner.

It was his first-ever NHL goal and totaled four points in four games for the Avs.

“Obviously (the) transition period is a little bit tough, and I’ve definitely made some mistakes throughout a few games that I’ve played,” said Malinski. “So, it means a lot that they keep putting me out there and I’m just trying to do my best to keep building.”

Bednar has sung Malinski’s praises the last several games. “He’s involved in our offensive attack. So whether it’s a rush or o-zone play, I think he’s making great decisions with the puck – possession decisions are leading to scoring chances,” he said. “I feel like his skating is really helping him on our breakouts, he’s been a consistent defender playing a great 200-ft game right now. I really liked his game again tonight.”

Under the ten-minute mark, the Avs earned another powerplay.

This time they were able to convert. Rantanen made the cross-slot pass to MacKinnon, and MacKinnon found Nichushkin at the side of the post. Nichushkin sent it home off a beautiful pass from MacKinnon.

Nichushkin earned his 100th career goal and MacKinnon achieved his 800th career point on the same play.

“When guys like [Rantanen] and [Nichuskin] get skating, they’re impossible to defend,” Bednar explained. “You have to be on top of your game in order to be able to check those guys and then their skill takes over. [Nichushkin’s] start to the game was insane: he gets two partial breakaways charging through the middle of the ice (and) checks the puck back. He probably could have had four goals in the first eight minutes of the game. Eventually he gets rewarded for his work.”

Colorado played a mature third period and put this game to bed.

“It was a real good conscious (effort) from our team tonight to check the right way,” said Bednar. “We were way more dangerous than the first and second, but we’re still working on our checking game and our habits in that regard.”

According to Bednar, “Tomorrow is a much needed day off for the group.”

The Avs embark on another back-to-back in Winnipeg this weekend before returning for another home game against the San Jose Sharks on Sunday.