Recap: Streak over as Avalanche lose 3-2 in shootout to Wild

The Colorado Avalanche’s impressive 10-game winning streak came to an end, though their 15-game point streak remains intact.

The Avs trailed by a goal until captain Gabe Landeskog redirected a rebound in the late third period to tie the game. Colorado controlled the pace in overtime and generated the better scoring opportunities, but ultimately fell 3-2 to the surging Minnesota Wild in the shootout with Matt Boldy securing the game winner.

The Game

Nathan MacKinnon opened the scoring in the first period, notching his 19th goal of the season and 40th point overall against the red-hot Jesper Wallstedt, who had recorded three shutouts in his previous four starts. Despite the 1-0 Avalanche lead, it was a fairly even opening frame with Colorado edging in shots 14-12 and each team had an unsuccessful power play opportunity.

The Avalanche had to rally after Minnesota scored twice in the second period. Kirill Kaprizov converted both goals for the Wild six minutes a part. The contest developed into a captivating, back-and-forth offensive showcase, with both goaltenders—Wallstedt for Minnesota and Scott Wedgewood for Colorado—matching each other save for save with remarkable composure. After 40 minutes of play Minnesota held the 2-1 advantage.

It appeared that Colorado was on their way to their second regulation loss but MacKinnon set up Landeskog’s game-tying goal with less than nine minutes remaining in regulation, just moments after Landeskog had been down on the ice after taking a high stick. It was a highlight reel level of effort from Landeskog on that shift who was rewarded with the goal. As the game was tied 2-2, overtime was needed.

Evidently more than overtime was required to settle this game as neither team scored in the extra frame but Colorado created the only three shots on goal. In the shootout Mats Zuccarello and Matt Boldy scored for the Wild while Martin Nečas converted for the Avalanche and Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar’s shots were saved to arrive at the 3-2 win for Minnesota.

Takeaways

As the saying goes, a point is a point. Colorado may well have been on the verge of a second regulation loss in this game, but the team refused to give in. Landeskog’s goal, and the way his teammates reacted, illustrates just how much he means to both the team and the organization. You can’t win them all.

Notably, it was a very disciplined game as only two minor penalties were issued, and neither power play was able to convert on their opportunities.

Wedgewood finished the night with 35 saves on 37 shots, but seemed exhausted during the shootout, which can happen if you’ve been in a tough matchup. Wallstedt, now 7-0-2 on the season, made 39 saves, including three crucial stops in the extra period.

Upcoming

No time to think about it any longer; we have another game to witness on Saturday. The Avalanche (17-1-6) take on the Montreal Canadiens (13-7-3). Coverage begins at 1 p.m. local time from Ball Arena.