March 22, 2025 – Montreal, Quebec
The Colorado Avalanche capped off their road trip with a dramatic 5-4 shootout win against the Montreal Canadiens. Despite a commanding 4-1 lead early in the third period, the Avalanche allowed three quick goals in just over four minutes, forcing overtime in a game that seemed firmly in their control.
Brock Nelson played a pivotal role once again, registering a goal and an assist before clinching the win as Colorado’s fourth shooter in the shootout. Goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood, despite an uneven performance in regulation, rebounded to make three key saves in the shootout, helping the Avalanche escape with two critical points in the standings.
Third-Period Collapse Nearly Costs Colorado
The Avalanche seemed poised for a routine win after Nelson’s deflection extended their lead to 4-1 early in the final period. However, a sudden shift in momentum saw Montreal capitalize on defensive breakdowns and questionable goaltending, erasing the deficit in front of an energized home crowd.
Despite the collapse, Colorado showed resilience by regrouping late in regulation and generating solid scoring chances in overtime, though they failed to convert on a key power play opportunity.
Depth Contributions Make the Difference
While the team’s defensive struggles were concerning, the performance of Colorado’s depth players stood out. The Artturi Lehkonen-Nelson-Martin Necas line was the Avalanche’s most effective at 5-on-5, outshooting their opponents and providing much-needed offensive pressure throughout the game.
Playoff Race Heats Up
The win keeps Colorado within striking distance of the Dallas Stars in the race for second place in the Central Division while also maintaining their cushion over the Minnesota Wild. With just over a dozen games remaining, the Avalanche need to clean up their late-game execution to ensure they enter the playoffs with momentum.
Next up, Colorado returns home, looking to address its defensive inconsistencies and strengthen its hold on playoff positioning as the postseason approaches.
