The Colorado Avalanche continued their hot streak Saturday night in Montreal, beating the upstart Canadiens 5-4 in the shootout. With the victory, the Avs have won 10 of their past 12 games, holding off the surging Minnesota Wild for third place in the hyper-competitive Central Division.
Here are three key takeaways from Colorado’s win over the Habs:
1. Nelson Continues Hot Streak, Posts One-Goal, Two-Point Game Against Canadiens
Avalanche center Brock Nelson took some time to find his stride since being acquired by Colorado at the NHL trade deadline — but in his past two games, Nelson has posted three goals and four points, including a one-goal, two-point night against the Canadiens. And capping things off, Nelson had the shootout winner to improve the Avalanche’s record this year to 43-25-3 this season.
With Saturday’s totals, Nelson now has 23 goals and 49 points in 69 games this year. The 33-year-old still projects to be a pure rental player this season, but Avs management knew that when they acquired him from the New York Islanders. The price to land him was high, but the Avalanche and Nelson are proving to be a great fit. And as the Stanley Cup playoffs approach, Nelson will need to be a needle-mover to get his team where it aims to be.
2. Avs Blow Three-Goal Lead, Rebound To Earn Second Straight Win, Stay Ahead Of Minnesota In Tight Central Race
The Avalanche went up 4-1 at the 3:58 mark of the third period, but the desperate Canadiens potted three straight goals the rest of the way in regulation to send the game to extra time. However, Colorado did not give up Saturday, and they were rewarded for it with their second straight win and their fourth win in their past five games.
The win allowed the Avs to maintain a four-point lead over the Wild (although Minnesota has one game in hand on Colorado). The Avalanche now have only 11 regular-season games to play, and the way things are shaping up, the Avs will have to be just as dominant if they’re to have any hope at challenging the Dallas Stars for home-ice advantage in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
3. Blackwood Struggles For Second Time In Past Four Games, But Still Finds Way To Win Three Of Past Five
Avalanche goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood hasn’t been at his best of late, posting a save percentage of .862 or worse in two of his past four games. But Blackwood figured out how to hang tough Saturday to post wins in three of his past five games.
Blackwood still is Colorado’s No. 1 netminder, but like all NHL goalies, he’s going to go through his tough stretches. The ability to battle through issues is going to be key for Blackwood and his Avs teammates, and in this final push in the regular-season, he’s going to have to thrive to gve the Avalanche a chance at home-ice advantage.
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