NHL

NHL Recap: Colorado Avalanche vs. Boston Bruins

On Wednesday, November 14th, 2018 the Colorado Avalanche and Boston Bruins faced off for the first time this season in Denver, CO. The Avalanche overcame a 3-1 deficit and scored 5 straight unanswered goals to win 6-3. Semyon Varlamov had 20 saves, while his counterpart net-minder, Jaroslav Halak, allowed 6 goals on 25 shots.

Battle of the Top Scoring Lines in Hockey

Wednesday night’s game was a marquee matchup between two of the top scoring lines in the NHL. Colorado’s top line of Gabriel Landeskog (1 G), Mikko Rantanen (1 G, 2 A, 2 PIM), and Nathan Mackinnon (1 G, 1 A) provided 6 points. They now have 75 points as a unit and lead the league. “The Rocky Mountain Line” vastly outperformed the Bruins top trio of Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron, and David Pasternak. “The B’s three” only accounted for 1 goal and 2 assists to give them 71 points on the season.

Chaotic First Period

The first period of Wednesday’s game can only be summed up in one word; “chaotic.” A turn over in the Avalanche defensive zone by Ian Cole almost lead to a goal within the first 5 minutes of the game. David Pasternak received a “pass” from Cole in directly in front of the Avs goal. He fired a wicked wrister (said in my best Boston accent), which beat Varlamov, and clanged off the left crossbar and out. Most fans in the Pepsi Center let out a collective gasp, only to be followed by cheers since the play was still going on. Halfway through the first, Avs captain, Gabriel Landeskog received a beautiful pass from Mikko Rantanen in front of the Bruins net to put the Avs up 1-0.

With 5:10 left in the first period, Avs defenseman, Mark Barberio, took a minor penalty for cross-checking. The Bruins, who possess the second best power play unit in the league, took care of the man advantage. David Pasternak notched his league-leading 17th goal of the season to tie the game at 1-1. A late turnover by Nathan Mackinnon turned into a breakaway for Jake Debrusk, who buried a shot with 40 seconds left in the first period to give the Bruins a 2-1 lead after one.

B’s Captain Chara Leaves With Knee Injury

Bruins captain Zdeno Chara would leave after the first and not return after a weird check to the knee.

This injury lead to a young defensive core for the Bruins having to step up and play 20:00 + minutes. The Chars-Less Bruins could not contain the Rocky Mountain Line. The puck possession for the Avalanche increased dramatically after Chara left the game. The Bruins could not contain the puck and possess it for long in the Avalanche defensive zone. This is a staple of Boston’s play, which is dominating puck possession.

Balanced Second Period

The second period would see the Bruins and Avalanche trading power play goals. The first was scored by Jake Debrusk on a redirection in front of the net three minutes into the second frame. Debrusk had two goals on the night. A hooking penalty taken by David Pastarnak would lead to the Avalanche’s top line getting the score back to within one on the power play.

The goal by Rantanen would be the first of 5 straight unanswered goals by the Avalanche. Although the score was 3-2 Boston at the end of the second period, an Avalanche( pun intended) was coming down the mountain.

Dominating Third Period

The third period would begin with Patrice Bergeron and Mikko Rantanen serving matching penalties for hooking and embellishment, respectively. After both penalties expired, a funky goal by Matt Calvert, his second of the season, would tie the game at 3 all, two minutes into the third frame.

With the game tied at 3, and the Boston Bruins without their 7-foot captain, Mikko Rantanen took over the game for the Avs. A turnover afforded Mikko the puck from his defensive zone. He carried the puck up the ice and was met by two defensemen at the blue line. “Rants” slid a disgusting backhanded pass through a stick to his star teammate, Nathan MacKinnon. Mack did not disappoint the Pepsi Center crowd, and he buried a wicked wrister past Halak for the Avs first lead of the game. The goal solidified “The Rocky Mountain Line” as the top line in the NHL so far this season.

The assist from Rantanen would give him 29 points on the season. Through the first 18 games this season, Rantanen now has the most points in Avalanche history. He now can say he possesses a record that was once held by former Avalanche Hall of Famer, Peter Forsberg.

The Avs would add late power-play goals by Tyson Jost and Alexander Kerfoot to make the score 6-3. Both coaches vowed to keep the top lines on the ice against each other as much as they could. The coaches did not disappoint the over 16,000 fans in attendance on Wednesday night. Thanks to the scheduling rules put in place after the last lockout, we will be able to see this matchup again, February 10 at TD Garden. Hopefully, the Bruins will have a healthier roster for that game.

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Photo Credit

Photo Courtesy of SkyonAir