The Colorado Avalanche took full advantage of their power play, which was like a steamroller in Game 3 of their series against the Predators, which they won 7-3 on Saturday in Nashville.
The visitors were very opportunistic, hitting the target on each of their first four attempts with the advantage of a man.
Artturi Lehkonen and Nathan MacKinnon, in the first period, respectively took advantage of the passages of Eeli Tolvanen and Luke Kunin in the dungeon to give their team the lead. In the next engagement, Gabriel Landeskog and Nazem Kadri flashed the red light as an opponent was punished.
The Avalanche finally completed the game with four goals in five attempts on the power play.
Landeskog, with his second goal of the game, Devon Toews and Valeri Nichushkin, in an empty cage, scored the Avalanche’s other successes. The captain was also the most productive, with four points.
Despite the defeat, the “Preds” also took full advantage of their numerical advantage. The crowd favorites have hit the target twice in three tries in similar circumstances, thanks to Tolvanen and Roman Josi. Matt Duchene was the other scorer for the Predators, who now find themselves with their backs to the wall after three short games. They will try to save their skin for the first time, Monday in front of their supporters.
Avalanche lose Kuemper
The organization that evolves in Denver experienced quite a scare in the first twenty. During a sequence around his net, goalkeeper Darcy Kuemper was accidentally hit in the face by Ryan Johansen, whose blade of the stick was inserted inside the goalkeeper’s mask.
Kuemper collapsed on the rink removing his mask and clutching his face. He was finally able to leave on his own, without however returning to the meeting.
The masked man had blocked nine of 10 opposing shots, before giving way to Pavel Francouz, who made 18 saves on 20 shots.
With an inspired 49-save performance in Game 2, Connor Ingram quickly came down to earth, allowing six goals on 41 tries.