Colorado scores late in third for 2-1 victory
NHL
Three teams faced must-win situations on Friday night. The Colorado Avalanche were one of those teams. Heading into Nashville for Game 5, many probably thought the series would end in Game 5. Colorado had other plans.
Two goals in the last five minutes of third period gave the Avalanche a 2-1 come-from-behind win over the Nashville Predators on Friday to force a Game 6.
With a chance to finish the series at home, the Predators came out looking to put the game away early. Nashville put heavy pressure on Colorado early in the first, looking to grab an early. Avalanche goalie Andrew Hammond, though, kept the Predators at bay.
Starting for injured starter Jonathan Bernier, Hammond stopped all 11 shots Nashville threw at him in the first period. His counterpart, Pekka Rinne, also had a solid first period, stopping the eight shots he faced in the first. That would send the game scoreless into the second period.
In the second, the Predators continued to carry the play. This time, they put 15 shots on Hammond, but the man known as the “Hamburglar” continued to frustrate the home team.
Even though they were unable to get on the board, Nashville did a good job of stymieing Colorado’s potent offense. The Predators again only allowed eight shots on goal in the second as the teams headed to the third period tied at zero.
NASHVILLE BREAKS THROUGH IN THIRD
If the second period was full of Nashville pressure, the third was a Nashville onslaught. The Predators upped their offensive pressure and were finally able to break through in the second half of the period.
With 9:42 left in the game, defenseman Mattias Ekholm fired a shot on Hammond that the Colorado goalie left a rebound on. Center Nick Bonino was driving the net on the Ekholm shot and angled his right skate for the rebound to bounce off and go in the net.
The goal was reviewed for a distinct kicking motion, but the goal was upheld to give the Predators a 1-0 lead. It was Bonino first goal fo the series and 17th career playoff goal.
COLORADO MOUNTS LATE COMEBACK
After the Bonino goal, many probably thought Nashville would shut the door and finish the job. The Avalanche, though, showed resolve and managed to tie the game with just over four minutes to go.
After quite a bit of pressure in the Nashville zone, Mikko Rantanen found Nathan MacKinnon alone in the slot. Instead of shooting right away, MacKinnon out-waited P.K. Subban and Rinne to find Gabriel Landeskog in front of the net.
MacKinnon’s patience left Landeskog with a simple tap in to tie the game with 4:11 remaining. It was the Colorado captain’s fourth goal of the series.
Nashville made a push late in the third to try and finish the series. However, it backfired on them.
Trying to get a late winner, Subban pinched down in the Colorado zone to try and create a chance. However, he got caught deep in the zone and the Avs went the other way on a 2-on-1.
J.T. Compher came down the right wing and fired a shot high on the blocker side on Rinne. Rinne couldn’t control the rebound and Sven Andrighetto pounced on the opportunity to bury his first of the series and give the Avalanche a late 2-1 lead.
Nashville tried to tie the game late and had a glorious chance when Ryan Johansen fired a pass cross-ice to Filip Forsberg. Forsberg one-timed the pass, but Hammond slid across to make the big save.
It would be the Predators’ best chance as the Avalanche managed to hang on for the 2-1 lead. Game 6 will be Sunday night in Colorado (7:00 PM ET, NBCSN, SN, TVAS, ALT, FS-TN).
This article was originally written by former TSJ101SPORTS NHL Department Head and writer Carlos Medellin. Due to systems modalities, the article has been assigned to the author tag designation “Former Writers”.
