The Colorado Avalanche scored three times in the final period to beat the New Jersey Devils 5-2 at Ball Arena on Wednesday night, turning a tight game into a comfortable win with a devastating late surge.
Connor Brown had given New Jersey an early short-handed lead, but Gabriel Landeskog levelled on the power play in the second period, and the game was tied 1-1 heading into a dramatic third.
Kelly strikes the winner
Nazem Kadri put Colorado ahead early in the third, before Parker Kelly scored the game-winner at 3:47 of the final period, finishing a play set up by Brent Burns. Nathan MacKinnon and Jaden Schwartz then added further goals to complete the rout, with Schwartz’s strike coming from MacKinnon and Kadri combining in style.
Brown added a late consolation for the Devils, but by then the contest was gone. The Avalanche’s third-period display — four goals in a high-tempo final frame — was the difference between two teams who had been evenly matched for 40 minutes.
Avalanche depth on display
Colorado’s win showcased their depth, with goals spread across the lines and contributions from veterans and stars alike. MacKinnon’s late goal capped another influential night, while Kadri’s all-round performance earned him third-star honours.
New Jersey, who slipped to 8-5, will be disappointed with the way the game slipped away after a promising start. The Devils led early and competed hard, but could not withstand Colorado’s third-period onslaught.
The Avalanche improved to 7-5-1 with the win and will look to build on a performance that showed exactly why they remain one of the Western Conference’s most dangerous teams when their offence clicks.
