Avs collapse in third period yet again in loss to Rangers

HIGHLIGHTS

GAME RUNDOWN

Beginning an action-packed road trip to the east coast, the Colorado Avalanche found themselves in one of the world’s most historic venues Saturday night when they took on the New York Rangers inside Madison Square Garden. The Avs came to NYC looking to build off a strong homestand that saw them win consecutive games for the first time since November and even in defeat played solid hockey.

That solid hockey did not immediately carry over to the first period of tonight’s game as the Rangers jumped out early on the Avalanche, scoring off a faceoff just 2:26 into the game when Kevin Klein fired a one-timer past Avalanche goaltender Calvin Pickard, who got a piece of the puck but couldn’t get all of it.

The 1-0 lead held through the first period as the Rangers dominated the Avalanche throughout until the final minute when Fedor Tyutin found a streaking Nathan MacKinnon. Colorado’s lone All-Star flew into the Rangers zone, stopped, turned around and found an open Gabriel Landeskog for a rocket of a one-timer to make it 1-1 with just 15 seconds remaining.

That late-period momentum carried over for Colorado as they came out flying early on in the second period and the third line centered by John Mitchell enjoyed a lengthy shift in the Rangers’ zone as they cycled them to death and wore the defense out. Eventually, Mitchell would find enough space to find a shot on goal and it somehow beat Henrik Lundqvist through the five-hole on a goal “The King” would love to have back.

Despite multiple power players, the Rangers failed to capitalize and eventually the second period ended with the Avalanche hanging on to a 2-1 lead. It didn’t last long into the third period as the Avalanche failed to play the kind of safe, smart hockey teams need when playing with the lead in the third period and a defensive zone turnover turned into Kevin Klein’s second goal of the night just 2:50 into the period.

The Rangers didn’t let up at all and their big guns trapped Colorado’s inside their own zone and made them pay with a great passing play that was finished off when Rick Nash took advantage of Patrick Wiercioch standing around watching the play instead of trying to tie up Nash’s stick or impede him in anyway and Nash tipped home the puck for the 3-2 lead at 5:36.

It took less than six minutes for the Avalanche to lose the lead they had built and their collapse held up. Kevin Hayes scored into the empty net with 1:38 remaining to seal the deal at 4-2. The win was Lundqvist’s 400th career win and he became the fastest goaltender to reach that milestone.

THREE STARS

1. Henrik Lundqvist
2. Kevin Klein
3. Oscar Lindberg

PLAY OF THE GAME

The Landeskog goal was yet another example of how lethal Colorado’s top line can be and certainly when MacKinnon is using his speed in that way.

TURNING POINT

Klein’s second goal was the beginning of another Colorado third-period collapse and the moment it was scored, it felt like the game was over.

BY THE NUMBERS

WHAT’S NEXT

The Avs are right back at it tomorrow in Brooklyn when they take on the Islanders at 4 p.m. MT.