Avalanche show resiliency in 4-3 overtime win against Penguins

HIGHLIGHTS

GAME RUNDOWN

For the Colorado Avalanche, getting off to a good start against the Pittsburgh Penguins tonight was of top importance as the slow start against the Dallas Stars in their season opener was going to be tougher to come back against versus the defending Stanley Cup champions.

Naturally, the Avs basically repeated their first period against the Stars tonight versus the Pens as they allowed an early power play goal, this time, courtesy of Phil Kessel, whose goal beat Avs goaltender Calvin Pickard in the five hole and surely one the netminder would like to have back.

Not looking to waste much time, the Penguins would score again to push it to 2-0 when Matt Cullen made a strong move to the net and put home a rebound.

The Avs, just like they did against Dallas, would push back after getting down by two. Jarome Iginla would score on the power play as the Avs were on a 5-on-3 advantage. They did not score a 5-on-3 goal all last season so to get one in the second game is great for them.

Just about 90 seconds later, the Avalanche would tie the game up when newcomer Patrick Wiercioch would beat Pens goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury n a shot from the blue line, giving him two points in two games, and the Avs would take the tie into the first intermission.

Despite an eventful second period that would see the Penguins tilt the ice significantly in their favor, Pickard would prove to be up to the task and kept the game tied heading into the third period. Andreas Martinsen would score in the period but he clearly kicked it in and it was quickly waived off.

The Avalanche would have another 5-on-3 opportunity early in the third period but some excellent goaltending from Fleury would keep the game tied at two apiece and give the Penguins new life.

The Penguins would score a controversial goal in the third that was ultimately waived off after it became clear Evgeni Malkin interfered with Pickard.

It would not matter much as just minutes later Trevor Daley would make it 3-2 on a shot from the point and be the second power-play goal of the game for the Penguins.

A game full of penalties would see another one go against Pittsburgh and the Avalanche would take advantage as Gabriel Landeskog would net a gorgeous game-tying goal to bring the score level at three. There would be a bunch of back-and-forth in the final minutes of the third but nobody would find pay dirt and each team would get at least a point by getting to overtime.

Landeskog would net the game-winner just over 30 seconds into overtime on a twice-deflected puck from a Nathan MacKinnon pass.

THREE STARS

1. Gabriel Landeskog
2. Nathan MacKinnon
3. Matt Cullen

PLAY OF THE GAME

Landeskog’s OT game-winning goal is the only choice here. A great job controlling play by the Landeskog/MacKinnon/Johnson trio, they would find the back of the net yet again and give the Avalanche two points.

TURNING POINT

With time winding down and on the power play, the Avalanche took advantage of Malkin’s lazy penalty and Landeskog’s bottle-knocker tied the game at three apiece.

BY THE NUMBERS

The Landeskog-MacKinnon-Iginla line combined for 12 shots on goal with MacKinnon leading the way with five. MacKinnon’s two assists gives him four points in the first two games. Erik Johnson notched two assists and led the Avalanche defense in ice time with 24:28 played.

WHAT’S NEXT

Colorado has a quick turnaround as they head to the nation’s capital to take on the Washington Capitals tomorrow night. Puck drop is scheduled for 5 p.m. MST.