SALT LAKE CITY – Artturi Lehkonen achieved his first NHL hat trick, propelling the Colorado Avalanche to a 4-1 victory over the Utah Hockey Club on Friday night at Delta Center. Lehkonen's performance was instrumental, not only showcasing his skills but also contributing to the Avalanche's continuation of winning streaks during the season.
Lehkonen opened the scoring just past the halfway mark of the second period, netting his first goal off a precise pass from Nathan MacKinnon, who now leads the NHL with 60 points this season. The goal energized the team and the fans, setting the tone for what would become a memorable night for Lehkonen and the Avalanche.
After Colorado took the lead, Utah responded with determination. Nick Schmaltz tied the game at 3:42 of the third period, scoring on the power play with a well-placed deflection of Mikhail Sergachev’s shot. This goal briefly shifted the momentum, igniting hopes for Utah's fans.
But Lehkonen wasn’t done yet. Just as the game seemed poised for another twist, he scored again with 5:16 left on the clock, finding the rebound off Valeri Nichushkin's shot. This goal restored Colorado's edge and proved to be the turning point of the match.
The Avalanche later sealed their victory with two empty-net goals, one from Mikko Rantanen and another from Lehkonen, who capped his stunning performance with his third goal just before the final buzzer sounded. Rantanen’s goal was particularly notable as it marked his 20th tally of the season and extended his current point streak to ten games.
Mackenzie Blackwood, who made 34 saves, had signed a five-year, $26.25 million contract extension earlier on Friday. His strong performance between the pipes aided the Avalanche’s defensive strategies, allowing them to play confidently and aggressively against Utah.
"Crazy. He’s unreal," said MacKinnon of Blackwood’s performance. It was clear from the atmosphere during the game—loud cheers erupted as the Avalanche scored, creating a lively backdrop of excitement for the players to feed off. MacKinnon, who not only contributed three assists to the score but also engaged in his first fight since March, said, "There were a lot of Avs jerseys, which is always fun on the road." The sense of rivalry, though still developing, was palpable as the two teams battled hard on the ice.
Head coach Jared Bednar noted the competitiveness of Utah, highlighting their young and skilled roster. "They’ve always played us hard. Their team is coming along," he said. Lehkonen's performance, coupled with the team's strategic play, reflected the Avalanche's determination as they look to continue refining their game and maintaining their winning streak.
Following the game, Lehkonen expressed his joy, stating, "First of my career in the NHL, so it's fun, for sure." His heartfelt acknowledgment of the team's support and contributions, particularly from MacKinnon, emphasized the collaborative spirit within the squad. "It’s the kind of player he is. Just got to have your stick on the ice and good things will happen when you play with him."
With this victory, the Avalanche extended their current winning streak to four games, now improving their record to 22-15-0 for the season. The defeat left Utah struggling, having lost three consecutive games, underscoring the competitive nature of this matchup as they fell to 5-7-4 at home this season.
The Colorado Avalanche will next host the Winnipeg Jets, eager to build upon their current momentum, as fans crave even more spectacular performances from their star player Lehkonen and their resilient roster.
