(Nashville) The Colorado Avalanche lost goaltender Darcy Kuemper late in the first period on Saturday, but thanks to the strength of their power play, that’s all they lost in Game 3 of his series against the Nashville Predators.
Updated yesterday at 9:13 p.m.
Gabriel Landeskog scored twice in the second period to help the Avalanche beat the Predators 7-3 and close to a second-round playoff win.
Landeskog also had two assists, while Nazem Kadri and Devon Toews both had a goal and an assist.
Nathan MacKinnon and former Canadiens Artturi Lehkonen hit the target on the power play for the Avalanche, who took advantage of four of their five chances on the powerplay.
“I really like the look of our power play since the start of this series,” said Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar. Tonight, we took full advantage of our chances to score. Sometimes it’s as simple as that. »
Valeri Nichushkin completed the scoring in an empty net with 2:46 left in the third period to secure his team’s third win in as many games. The Predators had retired Connor Ingram in favor of a sixth skater with over four minutes to go.
Avalanche goaltender Darcy Kuemper was injured in the final minute of the first period when a stick hit him near one eye. The doorman immediately took off his mask and threw himself on the ground, visibly in pain. He then retreated to the locker room, placing a towel over his face.
“I don’t know exactly how it happened or how the stick got there,” Bednar said. I believe it’s just unfortunate and unlucky. »
The coach said after the match that his goalkeeper felt better, although he did not return to the game. Kuemper will undergo further medical examinations.
“When we got back on the ice for the second, the information we had was that it wasn’t too serious,” Bednar said. It was enough that he couldn’t get back into the game, but at least he’s able to see and the signs we have are positive. »
Coming in relief, Pavel Francouz made 18 saves in his seventh appearance in a career playoff game.
Matt Duchene, Eeli Tolvanen and captain Roman Josi lined up for the Predators, who are down 0-3 in a series for the first time in franchise history.
The team will have to prevail in the fourth meeting, Monday evening, if they want to avoid a first sweep in 15 participations in the spring tournament.
“You have to win one,” Predators head coach John Hynes said. In this situation, our group will have to be persistent. We are not eliminated until we lose four. »
The Avalanche have dominated this series since the start, with a combined score of 16-6. Colorado also had the advantage in shots, at 137-81.