Avalanche top Blue Jackets 5-1 to sweep Finland series
TAMPERE, Finland — (AP) — Artturi Lehkonen scored in his home country, and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-1 on Saturday for a sweep of the NHL's two-game series in Finland. Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon each had three assists for the Stanley Cup champion Avalanche, who won for the fourth time in six games overall. Devon Toews and Martin Kaut each had a goal and an assist, and Logan O’Connor and Alex Newhook also scored. The Avalanche also beat the Blue Jackets 6-3 on Friday in Tampere. Finland native Mikko Rantanen had three goals and an assist in the victory, and MacKinnon collected four assists.
wftv.comAP source: MacKinnon signs 8-year deal, highest paid in NHL
DENVER — (AP) — The Colorado Avalanche are making Nathan MacKinnon the highest-paid player in the NHL’s salary cap era. His new $12.6 million salary cap hit that goes into effect at the start of the 2023-24 season surpasses Connor McDavid’s $12.5 million as the highest in the league. It's been a short offseason for MacKinnon and the Avalanche after they captured their first Stanley Cup title since 2001. “But ultimately the salary cap system’s a weird system where the more money you make, the less money someone else can make,” McDavid added. There’s always going to be give and take.”___More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.
wftv.comAP source: MacKinnon signs 8-year deal, highest paid in NHL
The Colorado Avalanche are making Nathan MacKinnon the highest-paid player in the NHL’s salary cap era. MacKinnon, who just turned 27 earlier this month, signed an eight-year contract worth $100.8 million, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. McDavid’s $100 million, eight-year deal with the Edmonton Oilers signed in 2017 was the previous record for the highest annual cap hit since the system went into place in 2005.
news.yahoo.comMacKinnon says he and Avalanche are close on a new contract
HENDERSON, Nev. — (AP) — Nathan MacKinnon expects to sign contract extension with the Colorado Avalanche soon, and it could make him the highest-paid player in the NHL. “We’re pretty close,” MacKinnon said Thursday at the NHL/NHLPA player media tour outside Las Vegas. McDavid, Edmonton's captain whose $12.5 million cap hit is the highest in the league, said he hasn't thought much about others passing him. “It’s not going to be a single digit (salary cap hit) or anything, but it’ll be good, I think, for both sides. At $6.3 million against the cap, MacKinnon has for quite some time been one of the most underpaid players in hockey.
wftv.comParade of champs: Avs live it up as they celebrate Cup title
APTOPIX Stanley Cup Avalanche Parade Hockey Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog hoists the Stanley Cup and a flag of Sweden at a rally for the NHL hockey champions Thursday, June 30, 2022, in Denver. From “A” (alcohol, lots of alcohol) to “Z” (Zamboni drivers taking the road), the parade held Thursday to celebrate Colorado's Stanley Cup title offered a little bit of everything. It was Nazem Kadri who delivered the line of the day on stage as rain fell and thunder boomed. We come with the Avalanche, baby,” screamed Kadri, whose team dethroned the two-time defending champion Lightning in six games for the franchise's third Stanley Cup title. It was a sea of burgundy and blue at Civic Center Park, where the parade ended and the speeches took place.
wftv.comAfter parade, work begins for Avs in bid to repeat as champs
Some tough decisions loom for the Colorado Avalanche after dethroning the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Stanley Cup Final. Taylor, a forward, was on hand to watch his brother not only win the Stanley Cup but earn the Conn Smythe Trophy as the MVP of the postseason. It’s so funny to see us grow up together, have those sibling fights, battle playing fake Stanley Cup and mini-sticks. ALL THE SMALL THINGSThe band blink-182 gave a shoutout to the Avalanche for their Stanley Cup title. The only Stanley Cup winner with fewer losses since all rounds went to a best-of-seven format in 1987 was Edmonton, which lost only twice in '88.
wftv.comMacKinnon shines in clinching win, helps Avs win Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup Avalanche Lightning Hockey Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon lifts the Stanley Cup after the team defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals on Sunday, June 26, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack) (Phelan Ebenhack)TAMPA, Fla. — (AP) — Andrew Cogliano shouted at Nathan MacKinnon in the midst of the Colorado Avalanche's Stanley Cup celebration. Now MacKinnon is a Stanley Cup champion, just like Crosby. “He’s open about it how much he wants to win, and I was really proud for him. Even before he scored his first goal of the final, he danced around defenders with moves more reminiscent of video game hockey than real life. “Nate, he’s not afraid or intimidated to go against anybody.”As a result, MacKinnon now trails Crosby by two Stanley Cup titles, giving the 26-year-old even more to shoot for beyond this championship.
wftv.comAvalanche dethrone Lightning to win Stanley Cup for 3rd time
Stanley Cup Avalanche Lightning Hockey Colorado Avalanche left wing Artturi Lehkonen (62) reacts after scoring on Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) during the second period of Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals on Sunday, June 26, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack) (Phelan Ebenhack)TAMPA, Fla. — (AP) — The Colorado Avalanche are back atop hockey’s mountain after dethroning the two-time defending champions. They locked things down by holding on to the puck and not letting Tampa Bay even shoot the puck on Darcy Kuemper in the third period. That mentality helped the Avalanche get over the hump, and Bednar became the first coach to win the Stanley Cup, American Hockey League's Calder Cup and ECHL's Kelly Cup. Instead, they'll return to Denver to celebrate with the Stanley Cup. When that happens, Colorado will get the chance to defend its crown and attempt to follow Tampa Bay in sustaining a perennial Cup contender.
wftv.comRoad test at Lightning stands between Avalanche, Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup Lightning Avalanche Hockey Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) moves the puck against Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Mikhail Sergachev (98) during the second period in Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final, Friday, June 24, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) (Jack Dempsey)TAMPA, Fla. — (AP) — Josh Manson still had his bags half-packed from the Colorado Avalanche’s last time on the road, when they returned home with the chance to win the Stanley Cup. Manson said the Avalanche learned some desperation from that sequence, but the stakes are higher in the final with the Stanley Cup in the building. He was glad the Lightning stood in Colorado’s way of winning the Cup because it was a fitting test of a champion. One source of confidence for the Avalanche is their road success this postseason: 8-1, including a win and a loss at the Lightning.
wftv.comKadri scores in OT in return, Avs move to brink of title
Nazem Kadri scored at 12:02 of overtime — perhaps with too many Colorado players on the ice — and the Avalanche beat Tampa Bay 3-2 on Wednesday night in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final to move within a victory of dethroning the two-time defending champion Lightning.
Colorado's Nazem Kadri back for Game 4 of Stanley Cup Final
Oilers Avalanche Hockey Edmonton Oilers goaltender Mike Smith (41) gives up a goal to Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon as Nazem Kadri (91) watches during the third period in Game 2 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs Western Conference finals Thursday, June 2, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) (Jack Dempsey)TAMPA, Fla. — (AP) — The Colorado Avalanche got a key player back with the return of center Nazem Kadri for Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday night. Kadri been out since injuring his thumb when he was boarded by Evander Kane in Game 3 of Colorado’s four-game sweep over the Edmonton Oilers in the Western Conference Final. Point played in the first two games of the Final after missing 10 straight due to a right leg injury. Avalanche left wing Andre Burakovsky (hand) missed his second straight game and was skating and getting treatment in Denver on Wednesday.
wftv.comSpeedy Colorado Avalanche zoom to 2-0 series lead over Bolts
Stanley Cup Lightning Avalanche Hockey Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8) scores on Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) during the third period in Game 2 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final, Saturday, June 18, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/John Locher) (John Locher)DENVER — (AP) — Marinate on this for a quick moment: Colorado has 11 goals in the Stanley Cup Final so far, and not one from star forward Nathan MacKinnon. Along with it, they have a 2-0 lead over Tampa Bay in the best-of-seven series, with Game 3 in Tampa on Monday night. He joined Patrick Roy as the Avalanche goaltenders who've recorded a shutout in the Stanley Cup Final (Roy accomplished the feat in 1996 and twice in 2001 as Colorado captured its two Stanley Cup trophies). “Whether Mac is scoring or not, he’s driving the play, he’s wearing guys down, he’s forechecking, he’s above pucks.
wftv.comStanley Cup Final shows value of hitting on top draft picks
Same for the Colorado Avalanche with Gabriel Landeskog going second in 2011, Nathan MacKinnon first in 2013 and Cale Makar fourth in 2017. The Lightning and Avalanche started from the bottom, and now they’re here in the Stanley Cup Final, in large part to nailing those high picks. “There’s no question that talent is a commodity that’s hard to come by,” said six-time Stanley Cup champion Mark Messier, who’s working the final as an analyst for ESPN. The Canadiens, New Jersey Devils or wherever he lands probably won’t be in the Stanley Cup Final right away, but he's ready to take that ride. “Tampa and Colorado both had first overall picks a number of years back and now they’re finally contenders.
wftv.comAvs franchise fortunes aren't MacKinnon's to shoulder alone
Stanley Cup Lightning Avalanche Hockey Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) warms up for Game 1 of the team's NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, in Denver. "Different guys will step up on different nights. “It's a special group in there and you don't get to the final by having selfish guys or guys going in different directions,” MacKinnon said. He’s so driven and motivated and that’s what makes him great.”And what's helping the Avalanche close in on greatness themselves. ___Follow Arnie Melendrez Stapleton on Twitter at https://twitter.com/arniestapleton___More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.
wftv.comStanley Cup Final pits Lightning vs. high-scoring Avalanche
Lightning Avalanche Hockey Tampa Bay Lightning players skate during an NHL hockey practice before Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Colorado Avalanche, Tuesday, June 14, 2022, in Denver. The Colorado Avalanche present a unique challenge for the Lightning, but they already got past the offensively potent Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers to reach the Cup final. “You have to play the game different ways at times. Tampa Bay's 2.41 goals against this postseason is the lowest of any team that made it past the first round. “We have enough skill and talent to score offensively, but we focus on our defensive game,” winger Alex Killorn said.
wftv.comAvalanche sweep Oilers, advance to Stanley Cup Final
APTOPIX Avalanche Oilers Hockey Colorado Avalanche's Nathan MacKinnon (29) and Gabriel Landeskog (92) celebrate a goal on Edmonton Oilers goalie Mike Smith (41) as Cody Ceci (5) defends during third period NHL hockey conference finals action in Edmonton, Alberta, on Monday, June 6, 2022. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP) (Jason Franson)EDMONTON, Alberta — (AP) — Artturi Lehkonen scored 1:19 into overtime, and Colorado rallied to beat the Edmonton Oilers 6-5 Monday night, completing a four-game sweep in the Western Conference final and sending the Avalanche to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2001. Colorado will take on the winner of the Eastern Conference final between the New York Rangers and two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning. But the Oilers stormed back and forced overtime when Kassian scored at 16:38 and tied it at 5-all. I basically had an empty netter in front of me, so tap it in.”NOTES: The Colorado Avalanche were without the injured Nazem Kadri.
wftv.comFrancouz, Kadri lead Avs to 4-0 win over Oilers in Game 2
Nazem Kadri had three assists in a 2:04 span in the second period, backup Pavel Francouz stopped 24 shots for his second career playoff shutout and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Edmonton Oilers 4-0 on Thursday night to take a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference finals.
Bozak caps rally with OT goal, Blues beat Avs 5-4 in Game 5
Blues Avalanche Hockey St. Louis Blues center Tyler Bozak, middle, celebrates his overtime goal against the Colorado Avalanche with right wing Alexei Toropchenko in Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series Wednesday, May 25, 2022, in Denver. Bozak unleashed a shot from near the blueline that got past Darcy Kuemper, capping a remarkable comeback for St. Louis. It's the latest game-tying goal for the Blues when facing elimination, according to NHL Stats. The Blues have rallied from a 3-1 deficit to take a playoff series twice in their history — 1999 against Phoenix and 1991 versus Detroit. “In no way is it acceptable by the St. Louis Blues or anybody else, for him to go through that," Berube said.
wftv.comBozak caps rally with OT goal, Blues beat Avs 5-4 in Game 5
Tyler Bozak and the St. Louis Blues experienced just about every emotion imaginable over the course of a win-or-season-ends game in which they fell behind by three goals. Bozak scored 3:38 into overtime and the Blues fended off elimination in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals, overcoming a pair of deficits in a 5-4 victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday night. Bozak, a fourth-line center, unleashed a shot from near the blueline that got past Darcy Kuemper, capping a remarkable comeback for St. Louis.
news.yahoo.comMakar scores in OT, Avs win 2-1 over Predators in Game 2
Predators Avalanche Hockey Nashville Predators goaltender Connor Ingram (39) blocks a shot by Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar, bottom right, during the first period in Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Thursday, May 5, 2022, in Denver. Nathan MacKinnon also scored for Colorado, which faced a more intense Nashville defense after winning 7-2 in Game 1. He allowed MacKinnon's goal on the first shot of the game and turned back everything until Makar's goal. The 25-year-old Ingram relieved David Rittich in the first game after the Avalanche scored five first-period goals. The first period was vastly different for the Predators than Game 1, when they allowed five goals.
wftv.comAvs erupt for 5 goals in 1st, beat Predators 7-2 in Game 1
Colorado captain Gabriel Landeskog built the lead to 6-0 when he was credited for a goal in the second period. MacKinnon scored his second goal of the game in the third period and, coupled with an assist, raised his playoff points per game average to 1.41. RECORD STARTThe goals by MacKinnon and Toews were in the first 2:42, making it the fastest pair of goals to start a playoff game in Colorado/Quebec franchise history. MAKAR'S MARKMakar became the third defenseman in team history to record three points in a period during a playoff game. On his 27th birthday, Avs forward Nico Sturm received a hard check in the second period that knocked him down.
wftv.comAvalanche beat Hurricanes 7-4, wrap up top seed in West
Hurricanes Avalanche Hockey Colorado Avalanche center Ben Meyers (59) moves the puck in his first NHL game during the first period against the Carolina Hurricanes Saturday, April 16, 2022, in Denver. Compher and Nathan MacKinnon each scored twice, Ben Meyers added a goal in his NHL debut and the Colorado Avalanche clinched the top seed in the Western Conference with a 7-4 win over the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday night. Jordan Staal scored twice, and Andrei Svechnikov and Sebastian Aho each added goals. He became the eighth Avalanche player to score in their NHL debut since the team relocated to Denver. ... Carolina scored on the power play for the first time since March 31.
wftv.comMacKinnon's hat trick leads Avs to 53rd win, 9-3 over Kings
Kings Avalanche Hockey Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, right, fights for control of the puck with Los Angeles Kings center Adrian Kempe in the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, April 13, 2022, in Denver. Adrian Kempe, Alex Iafallo and Phillip Danault scored for the Kings, who have dropped four of five. MacKinnon scored on the power play and Aube-Kubel scored 41 seconds after that to make it 4-0 with 9:04 left in the first period. MacKinnon scored on a breakaway on a stretch pass from Makar early in the third period and picked up his third career hat trick with 10:08 left to make it 9-2. The Avs are 7-1-1 in the second game of back-to-backs.
wftv.comAvalanche beat Penguins for win No. 50, clinch playoff spot
Avalanche Penguins Hockey Colorado Avalanche's Nathan MacKinnon, center, celebrates with teammates on the bench after scoring against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, April 5, 2022, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic) (Keith Srakocic)PITTSBURGH — (AP) — The Colorado Avalanche clinched a playoff spot with the help of two goals from Nathan MacKinnon in a 6-4 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday night. Mikko Rantanen continued a six-game point streak with an assist in his 400th NHL game (he has 400 career points). Colorado opened a 3-1 lead with a pair of second-period goals scored 2:07 apart. Jeff Carter assisted on Guentzel's goal, becoming the 20th active player with 800 NHL points.
wftv.comAvs score twice in 26 seconds, rally to beat Vegas 3-2
Nathan MacKinnon scored in the third period to lift the Colorado Avalanche to a 3-2 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday night. The Avalanche overcame a 2-1 deficit by scoring two goals 26 seconds apart early in the third period, with J.T. Compher tying the game and MacKinnon burying the go-ahead goal in front of 18,333 in attendance. Chandler Stephenson and Jonathan Marchessault scored for Vegas.
news.yahoo.comKuemper, Landeskog help Avs beat Stars, extend streak to 19
Avalanche Stars Hockey Colorado Avalanche center Nazem Kadri (91) celebrates his goal with teammate Gabriel Landeskog (92) during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Dallas Stars in Dallas, Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/LM Otero) (LM Otero)DALLAS — (AP) — Darcy Kuemper made 23 saves for his second shutout this season, Gabriel Landeskog scored two goals and the streaking Colorado Avalanche beat the Dallas Stars 4-0 on Sunday. Nicolas Aube-Kubel added a goal at 13:50 of the third period, and Landeskog backhanded an unassisted empty-net goal with 1:50 remaining. Both first-period goals against Holtby came when the Stars allowed Colorado skaters in front of the net. His four short-handed points are tied for the NHL lead.
wftv.comMakar, Avs rally past Bruins 4-3 for 17th straight home win
Bruins Avalanche Hockey Colorado Avalanche players celebrate with defenseman Cale Makar after his power-play goal in overtime of an NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) (David Zalubowski)DENVER — (AP) — Gabriel Landeskog tied the game with 36.5 seconds left in regulation and Cale Makar scored a power-play goal 3:01 into overtime as the Colorado Avalanche rallied past the Boston Bruins 4-3 on Wednesday night for their 17th straight home victory. With Mike Reilly serving a tripping penalty, Makar took a feed from Nazem Kadri and sent a shot past Linus Ullmark to give the Avalanche their eighth consecutive win overall. Charlie Coyle and Brad Marchand scored just over a minute apart in the second to put Boston up 3-1. ... Bruins D Matt Grzelcyk (upper-body injury) went through the morning skate but missed his second straight game.
wftv.comAvs beat Blackhawks 2-0, extend record home streak to 16
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski) (David Zalubowski)DENVER — (AP) — Nazem Kadri and Mikko Rantanen scored, Pavel Francouz made 23 saves for his third career shutout and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Chicago Blackhawks 2-0 on Monday night to extend their franchise-record home winning streak to 16 games. It was the seventh straight victory overall for the Avalanche, who tied the 1976 Boston Bruins for the fifth-longest home winning streak in NHL history. An empty-net goal by Colorado in the final moments was waved off for offside. NOTES: Blackhawks G Kevin Lankinen was placed on injured reserve with a hand injury sustained in Saturday’s overtime loss against Minnesota. ___More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.
wftv.comOvechkin, McDavid, Draisaitl headline NHL All-Star roster
Bruins Capitals Hockey Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) skates with the puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins, Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) (Nick Wass)NEW YORK — (AP) — Washington star Alexander Ovechkin and high-scoring Edmonton teammates Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl headline the rosters for the NHL All-Star Weekend announced Thursday. Selected for the eighth time, Ovechkin led voting in the Metropolitan Division to earn the captaincy for the Feb. 4-5 event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The event features a three-game tournament played in a 3-on-3 format, with 11-man teams from each of the league's four divisions. McDavid is set to be the captain, and Peter DeBoer of Vegas the coach.
wftv.comAvalanche score 7 in 3rd straight, cruise past Red Wings 7-3
Red Wings Avalanche Hockey Colorado Avalanche left wing Andre Burakovsky, front, is congratulated as he passes the team box after scoring a goal against the Detroit Red Wings in the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 10, 2021, in Denver. They are the first team since Pittsburgh from Nov. 4-10, 1995 to score seven goals in three straight. Filip Hronek had a goal and an assist before leaving with an injury and Vladislav Namestnikov and Joe Veleno also scored for the Red Wings in their third straight loss and seventh in a row against Colorado. He had 251 points in 744 regular-season games with the Red Wings and won the Stanley Cup in 2008. After Veleno slipped a backhand past Kuemper to make it 3-2 at 3:21 of the second, the Avalanche responded with an offensive onslaught.
wftv.comAP sources: Eichel switching agents amid dispute with Sabres
Four people with direct knowledge of the player’s decision have told The Associated Press that Buffalo Sabres captain Jack Eichel is changing agents while in the midst of a long-standing dispute with the team over how to treat a neck injury.
McDavid, Matthews, MacKinnon finalists for NHL MVP honors
(Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP) (JASON FRANSON)NEW YORK — (AP) — Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid, Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews and Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon have been named the finalists for the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP. McDavid, considered the likely winner of the award, dominated the 2020-21 scoring race with 105 points in 56 games — 21 more than runner-up and Oilers teammate Leon Draisaitl, who won MVP honors last year. A McDavid win would make the Oilers the first team with different Hart Trophy winners in consecutive seasons since the Boston Bruins in 1968-69 (Phil Esposito) and 1969-70 (Bobby Orr). McDavid, who is Edmonton's captain, won the Hart Trophy in 2017 and finished third in the voting in 2019. Matthews scored a league-leading 41 goals in 52 games to help Toronto earn the top seed in the North Division.
wftv.comQuick study: Knights neutralize Avs' speed, series tied at 2
The speedy Colorado Avalanche are suddenly the ones doing all the chasing. Vegas had Colorado in defense mode as the Golden Knights tied their playoff series at two games apiece by taking both games at home. “They make a play in the ‘D’ zone, they’re throwing it out into the neutral zone and coming at us 100 mph,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said.
news.yahoo.comRantanen scores OT winner, Avs up 2-0 in series vs. Knights
Mikko Rantanen scored a power-play goal 2:07 into overtime, Philipp Grubauer outdueled fellow Vezina Trophy finalist Marc-Andre Fleury and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Vegas Golden Knights 3-2 to take a 2-0 lead in their second-round playoff series.
Avalanche blaze past Knights 7-1 in penalty-filled Game 1
Golden Knights Avalanche Hockey Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) scores a goal against Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Robin Lehner (90) in the second period of Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series Sunday, May 30, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) (Jack Dempsey)DENVER — (AP) — Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog each scored twice and the well-rested Colorado Avalanche made quick work of Vegas with their speed, beating the Golden Knights 7-1 on Sunday night in a skirmish-filled Game 1 of their second-round playoff series. “Everyone was ready to go and we had a great start.”William Karlsson scored the lone goal for Vegas. He stepped in for Marc-Andre Fleury, who was in net for all seven games as the Golden Knights eliminated Minnesota on Friday. The Golden Knights were none-too-pleased with the shot.
wftv.comAvalanche complete 4-game sweep of Blues with 5-2 win
Landeskog tipped in a shot from Samuel Girard at 14:53 of the second period to break a 1-1 tie. Landeskog said the Avalanche used a pre-series boast from St. Louis captain Ryan O'Reilly as motivation. Tarasenko converted on a breakaway off a pass from O’Reilly for a 1-0 lead at 5:07 of the second period. FREEBIESThe Avalanche scored six empty-net goals in the series, including two in a 6-3 win in Game 2 and two on Sunday. OUT AGAINColorado C Nazem Kadri served the second game of an eight-game suspension after hit to Justin Faulk in Game 2.
wftv.comMacKinnon records hat trick, Avs beat Blues 6-3 in Game 2
Blues Avalanche Hockey Colorado Avalanche goaltender Philipp Grubauer, left, is congratulated by center Nathan MacKinnon after Game 2 of the team's NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday, May 19, 2021, in Denver. Joonas Donskoi scored twice and Brandon Saad added an empty-netter as Colorado took a 2-0 lead in the first-round playoff series. Trailing 3-0, Sammy Blais scored for St. Louis in the second and Brayden Schenn added another with 9:53 remaining to make it a one-goal game. MacKinnon gave Colorado a 4-2 lead with 4:35 remaining, only to see Mike Hoffman score 15 seconds later. Donskoi scored 35 seconds into the game, the second-fastest goal to start a playoff game in Colorado/Quebec history, according to NHL research.
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