OTTAWA — The Colorado Avalanche wasted no time asserting their dominance Thursday night, defeating the Ottawa Senators 5-1 in a game that saw them score four first-period goals. Nathan MacKinnon opened the scoring, followed by contributions from Brock Nelson, Cale Makar, and Joel Kiviranta, who each found the back of the net in the first frame. This commanding performance chased goaltender Linus Ullmark from the net just 17 minutes and 29 seconds into the contest, after he allowed four goals on 13 shots.
This defeat marked the Senators' second consecutive loss following a six-game winning streak that had propelled them into playoff contention. With a record of 36-27-5, the Senators are currently holding onto the first wild-card position in the Eastern Conference, but the pressure is on as they sit just three points ahead of the Montreal Canadiens, who hold the second wild-card spot, and five points clear of the New York Rangers.
Brock Nelson extended the Avalanche's lead by scoring his second goal of the night just 1:54 into the second period, deftly tipping an Artturi Lehkonen shot past backup goaltender Anton Forsberg. Forsberg entered the game in relief of Ullmark and ended up allowing one goal on 19 shots. The Avalanche showcased their offensive abilities throughout the game, with Scott Wedgewood, who made 15 saves, almost maintaining a shutout until Dylan Cozens scored a power-play goal with 4:41 remaining.
Cozens, who has quickly made an impact since joining the Senators, continued to shine with this goal. He has recorded points in six of his first seven games with Ottawa, collecting three goals and three assists in that stretch. Overall, the 24-year-old forward now has 37 points on the season, alongside 159 shots on net, 176 hits, and a minus-12 rating over 68 appearances. His contributions signify a valuable addition to the Senators' second line, providing a mix of scoring touch and grit.
The Avalanche initially struggled in the first five minutes of the game before gaining their energy from MacKinnon’s opening goal. This pivotal moment seemed to drain the Senators’ momentum, affecting their performance for the remainder of the game. As noted, nine players in the NHL have achieved both 50 or more points and 100 or more hits so far in the season, including Ottawa's own Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stutzle, and Drake Batherson, who remain key figures for the team.
As both teams head into their next games, the Senators will look to regain their footing against the New Jersey Devils on Saturday, March 22, 2025, while the Avalanche are set to take on the Montreal Canadiens on the same day. The stakes are high in these late-season matchups, especially for Ottawa, as they strive to hold onto their playoff position amid recent fluctuations in performance.
In conclusion, this decisive win for the Avalanche not only strengthens their position as they pursue the playoffs but also raises questions about the Senators’ ability to recover after two tough losses. As teams head towards the final stretch of the season, every game carries significant weight, emphasizing the importance of consistency for teams seeking playoff opportunities.
