DENVER -- Devon Toews scored twice, including the go-ahead goal with 11:06 remaining, and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Florida Panthers 3-1 on Monday night. Mikko Rantanen added a late empty-net goal to help the Avalanche wrap up a four-game homestand at 3-0-1, extending his points streak to 14 games.
Goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood shone brightly, stopping 26 shots to improve his record to 7-1-1 since joining the Avalanche from San Jose. This game marked another step forward for Blackwood, who has shown remarkable consistency since his arrival.
The Panthers struck first, as Carter Verhaeghe found the net early, giving Florida a 1-0 lead within the first period. Historically, the Panthers have been tough to beat when opening the scoring on the road, boasting an impressive .818 winning percentage entering this matchup.
Blackwood was tested early, particularly during the first period, where he faced 11 shots, including effectively stopping Nathan MacKinnon during what seemed like a mini-breakaway. On the other end, Sergei Bobrovsky was instrumental as well, stopping 31 shots but unable to stave off Toews’s equalizer.
Just when it looked like the Panthers might extend their lead, Toews tied the game at 1-1 with just 1:42 left in the second period. His shot hit the crossbar before ricocheting off Bobrovsky's back and trickling over the goal line. The momentum shifted decisively after the equalizer, as the Avalanche dominated play for the remainder of the game.
Toews turned the tide for Colorado, scoring again to push the Avalanche to a 2-1 lead, solidifying their position with less than 12 minutes to play. His two goals and an assist on the night gave Avalanche defensemen the league's leading total of 110 points (23 goals, 87 assists) this season.
With the game nearing its end and the Panthers desperately seeking to equalize, Blackwood was forced to make a highlight-reel save on Matthew Tkachuk, turning away his attempt with just over 6:30 left. Despite great chances for the Panthers, their quest for another tying goal proved fruitless. Rantanen capped off the night with an empty-net goal, sealing the 3-1 victory for Colorado.
For the Panthers, it was also a milestone night for defenseman Nate Schmidt, who played his 700th NHL game. Schmidt’s experience is invaluable for a team aiming for playoff contention.
The Avalanche continue their busy schedule, now setting their eyes on the upcoming game against the Chicago Blackhawks, as they look to extend their home advantage. Meanwhile, the Panthers, determined to bounce back, will head to Utah for their next contest, seeking to regroup after this disappointing loss.
This matchup spotlighted the Avalanche's resilience following their previous overtime loss to the Montreal Canadiens, each game presenting opportunities to learn and grow. With Colorado jockeying for position within the Central Division, every point is precious.
Going forward, both teams will aim to correct their power-play inefficiencies. Neither squad could capitalize on their opportunities during this game, with the Avalanche and Panthers finishing 0 for 7 combined on power plays.
Colorado’s offense features stars like MacKinnon, Rantanen, and Cale Makar, and as they continue to gel, they are shaping up to be one of the formidable forces this season. Meanwhile, Florida will need to tighten their defense and get back to basics to stay competitive against the league's top teams.