Denver, CO – The Colorado Avalanche secured their 25th victory of the season on Monday night, defeating the Florida Panthers 3-1 at Ball Arena. With this win, the Avalanche capped off their four-game homestand with impressive results, going 3-0-1.
Devon Toews stood out with two goals, including what proved to be the game-winner with just over 11 minutes remaining. This performance marked Toews' continued resurgence, as he now has four goals over his last four games. "(We’ve come) a long way," Toews remarked postgame. "Moving pieces in and out of the lineup, but we’ve stuck with it. We’ve felt like we had our game at different points this year, just not consistently enough. But when you do your job, you’re going to come out with the win."
The matchup began with the Panthers jumping to the lead, courtesy of Carter Verhaeghe’s 10th goal of the season at 15:57 of the first period. Verhaeghe executed a perfect give-and-go with Anton Lundell, netting the only goal through the first third. The Avalanche dominated the first period, outshooting Florida 11-4, yet found themselves behind on the scoreboard.
Despite failing to convert on four power-play opportunities throughout the game, Colorado's consistent pressure finally paid off late in the second period. With just 1:42 remaining, Toews broke through, tying the game when his long wrist shot hit the crossbar, bounced off Sergei Bobrovsky’s back, and trickled over the goal line. This goal was significant, showcasing Toews' skill and resilience, especially after Colorado’s power plays had been largely ineffective.
"Both teams created a fair amount of offense... but both goalies were good, so it ended up being a real tight, low-scoring game," analyzed head coach Jared Bednar. The match turned decidedly more intense as shots on goal began to accumulate for both teams. The Avalanche continued applying pressure, with Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar both ringing shots off the posts, but it took until the third period for Colorado to take the lead.
Toews added another goal early in the third period, taking advantage of defensive pressure from Juuso Parssinen, who screened Bobrovsky letting Toews’ shot slip past. Mikko Rantanen sealed the game with an empty-net goal as time expired, adding to his remarkable streak of points across 14 consecutive games. Rantanen's tally emphasized the depth of the Avalanche’s scoring and their ability to capitalize on every opportunity.
Goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood, who has been stellar since joining the Avalanche from San Jose, continued to shine with 26 saves. He improved his record to 7-1-1 with Colorado, and his performance was pivotal, with Blackwood stating, "It’s fun to be part of such responsible hockey, scoring on their chances." His ability to remain unfazed after allowing the first goal reflects his growth since joining the team.
Florida's Bobrovsky tallied 31 saves but faced heavy pressure throughout the night as Colorado's offense looked to exploit any gaps. Bobrovsky recognized the challenge posed by the Avalanche, asserting, "It was the Bobrovsky Show... I had to keep my team in it with some big saves." His efforts kept the game close, particularly during moments when Colorado could have easily gained more ground.
The Panthers proved hard to beat, especially after scoring first this season, holding an .818 winning percentage entering the game. Yet, they struggled to generate sustainable offensive momentum throughout the night, often leaning on Bobrovsky’s impressive play to stay competitive.
Remarkably, the Avalanche’s defensemen now lead the league with 110 points, showcasing the offensive capabilities of players like Toews. This was particularly significant for the Avalanche who have had to adjust to lineup changes due to injuries. Valeri Nichushkin was missing from the lineup, reminding fans of the importance of all players being at their best to succeed.
The win holds greater importance for the Avalanche as they aim to keep gaining ground and find consistency as they head toward the second half of the season. With upcoming games slated against competitive teams, maintaining momentum and sharpening special teams is poised to be the focus moving forward.
With this victory, the Colorado Avalanche are not only proving their grit but also cementing their position as serious contenders as they enter the second half of their schedule.