The Colorado Avalanche ended their six-game winning streak with a close 2-1 shootout loss to the Montreal Canadiens at Ball Arena on Saturday night. Despite numerous scoring opportunities, the Avalanche struggled to capitalize on their chances, as rookie goaltender Jakub Dobes halted 22 of 23 shots on play.
Colorado started strong, taking the lead during the second period when Mikko Rantanen netted his 23rd goal of the season. Rantanen’s early goal was assisted by Nathan MacKinnon, who continues to lead the team with multiple points this season.
While the Avalanche initially controlled much of the game, holding onto their lead for most of the match, they faced formidable resistance from the Canadiens. The Montreal team was playing the second half of back-to-back games but managed to impressively counter the Avalanche's offense.
Head coach Jared Bednar expressed his frustration with the team’s inability to maintain their offensive momentum throughout the match. “We were just OK,” he remarked. “We had a lot of zone time. We just didn’t create a lot of chances. Not enough of a shot mentality.”
With this loss, the Avalanche fell to 24-15-1 for the season as they reach the midpoint of their campaign. This was the second time this season they had experienced such shortcomings against the Canadiens, losing their edge late and failing to produce the desired number of shots.
Earlier this week, the Avalanche had exhibited their fighting spirit by overcoming the Buffalo Sabres, where they managed to tie the game 5-5 with seconds to spare before Devon Toews scored in overtime to secure the win. The adrenaline from such high-stakes plays made the subsequent defeat even more disheartening.
On the other hand, the Canadiens were able to showcase their offensive prowess, with Cole Caufield and Kirby Dach successfully scoring during the shootout. Their performance on the road, especially against a dominant Avalanche, marks significant progress for the Montreal team.
Even with the loss, the Avalanche's recent form during their six-game win streak had catapulted them up the Central Division standings. They had relied heavily on their top players, especially Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, who proved instrumental during their victories over the past weeks.
The upcoming games will be pivotal for both teams as they work toward solidifying their positions within their respective divisions. The Canadiens look to build on their success against Colorado when they face off against the Vancouver Canucks next.
Overall, the match offered both teams valuable lessons as they prepare for the next phase of the campaign. Despite the end of the winning streak, the Avalanche maintain their focus on improvement, with Bednar emphasizing the importance of seizing scoring opportunities moving forward.
With both teams showing signs of promising prowess, fans can expect thrilling matchups as the season progresses, highlighting the competitive spirit of the NHL.