Ryan Johansen broke a third-period tie, leading the Colorado Avalanche to a 6-3 win over the short-handed New Jersey Devils on Tuesday night, ending Colorado’s offensive slump.
Key Performances
Mikko Rantanen scored twice, including an empty-netter, while Nathan MacKinnon, Miles Wood, and Ross Colton also contributed goals for Colorado. Colton, however, was ejected after receiving consecutive boarding and cross-checking penalties, resulting in a seven-minute Devils power play during which they scored twice.
“I think tonight we just played to our strengths,” said Cale Makar, who had three assists. “We got back to the way we should be playing. Guys were moving their feet, and that’s a pretty good indication when the team is playing well. A lot of guys had great games.”
Devils’ Efforts
Timo Meier, Dougie Hamilton, and Tyler Toffoli scored for New Jersey, which was without centers Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier. Hughes missed his second game with a right shoulder injury, and his status is week-to-week. Hischier has missed five games with an upper-body injury.
Game Recap
New Jersey scored first, but Colorado kept pace and eventually took the lead for good when Johansen scored from between the circles at 7:37 of the third period. MacKinnon followed with a backhand goal two minutes later.
The Devils scored twice on the power play in the second period around a short-handed goal by Wood, tying the game 3-3 heading into the third period.
Penalty Drama
The Devils had an extended power play after Colton was penalized for boarding Luke Hughes and cross-checking Meier, leading to his ejection and a $5,000 fine from the NHL. Meier evened the score 2-2 with a wrist shot at 11:04 of the second period. Wood responded 30 seconds later with a short-handed breakaway goal, and Hamilton added another power-play goal at 15:04.
“There was a lot going on in that period,” Devils coach Lindy Ruff said. “We had to kill a bit of a 5-on-3, and then we had a big power play that gave us momentum again.”
Early Game Action
Toffoli opened the scoring for New Jersey less than four minutes into the game with a wrist shot past goalie Alexandar Georgiev, who made 20 saves. Rantanen tied it at 15:50 of the first period with a tip-in on the power play. Vanecek stopped 26 shots for New Jersey.
Upcoming Games
- New Jersey: Hosts the Washington Capitals on Friday night.
- Colorado: Continues its homestand Thursday night against the Seattle Kraken.
