DENVER, CO - The Colorado Avalanche bounced back on Wednesday night with a commanding 5-1 victory against the New Jersey Devils at Ball Arena, showcasing the positive impact of forward Valeri Nichushkin's return to the lineup after nearly two months on the sidelines.
With the win, the Avalanche improved their record to 34-24-2, enhancing their chances as they venture through an important six-game homestand. Coming off back-to-back disappointing losses, players were eager for redemption against the Devils (32-22-6), who had been feeling confident after their recent success.
The evening began with the Avalanche establishing control early. Artturi Lehkonen opened the scoring just shy of nine minutes in, slipping the puck past Devils goaltender Jake Allen during the first period. The Avalanche capitalized on their momentum and didn’t look back.
The Devils entered the matchup with their own set of obstacles. Star goaltender Jacob Markstrom was sidelined with injury, and starting backup Jake Allen had been handling the net for New Jersey. Despite Allen making 34 saves, it wasn’t enough to thwart the Avalanche's determined attack.
Fast forward to the third period where the Avalanche extended their lead, sparked by their superstar Nathan MacKinnon who netted two goals. The first came from retrieving and capitalizing on the loose puck off Allen’s rebound, sending the crowd of 17,000+ fans at Ball Arena roaring as it pushed the score to 2-0.
While the Devils found the back of the net thanks to Jack Hughes' impressive one-timer goal, it was only briefly hopeful for New Jersey, who fell back down shortly after. MacKinnon’s second power-play goal, along with Casey Mittelstadt's and Logan O’Connor's contributions, sealed the game by extending the Avalanche's lead to 5-1.
Throughout the game, Mackenzie Blackwood was also impressive, making 22 saves and stopping every shot he faced against his former team. The Avalanche’s performance against the Devils also marked the second time this season they defeated the team after the earlier triumph noted during their last meeting, where they secured a 4-0 win.
Valeri Nichushkin's return proved to be as impactful as anticipated by his teammates and coach. Prior to his injury, Nichushkin had amassed 11 goals and six assists across 21 games this season. “You can't underestimate how much he means to this team,” Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar remarked. His presence is both physically and psychologically valuable, adding depth to the lineup and enhancing scoring opportunities.
“He’s massive to have back,” added teammate Logan O’Connor, emphasizing the role Nichushkin plays within the team. Coach Jared Bednar confirmed there were no restrictions on Nichushkin following his lower-body injury recovery, and he contributed effectively to special teams during the game.
Overall, the Avalanche's victory against the Devils was not just about the score but rather about restoring confidence and revitalizing the team’s spirit. Having experienced players like Nichushkin back on the ice can significantly shift the dynamics of matches and overall performance, as evidenced by the collective determination seen throughout the game.
With this win, the Avalanche could use the momentum as they face more opponents on their homestand. On the other hand, the Devils must regroup and resolve their inconsistencies if they hope to maintain their playoff positioning within the competitive Eastern Conference.
The Avalanche now prepare for their next contest as they aim to continue building on this much-needed win. The dominance displayed on home ice against the Devils serves as both a reminder of their capabilities and the continued pursuit of success within the remainder of the season.