MacKinnon-led Avalanche top Red Wings for 5th straight win
DETROIT - "When he’s dangerous and playing vertical, he can be a bull in a china shop," Colorado coach Jared Bednar said of MacKinnon. "To work his way through the D under heavy pressure and still being able to make those shots, it's pretty cool."
Devon Toews scored early in the game and Bowen Byram gave Colorado a two-goal lead late in the second after
"We stay on the gas the whole game," Rantanen said. "We don't want to sit back at all."
DETROIT, MI - MARCH 18: Simon Edvinsson #3 of the Detroit Red Wings protects the puck from Evan Rodrigues #9 of the Colorado Avalanche during the second period of an NHL game at Little Caesars Arena on March 18, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by D
MacKinnon also had an assist and Alexandar Georgiev made 33 saves for
"Our goalie probably outplayed their goalie," Bednar said.
Pius Suter pulled Detroit into a 1-all tie in the first period and Magnus Hellberg finished with two saves, filling in for Husso for the last 14-plus minutes.
The Red Wings went 0 for 2 with an extra skater in the first period and had a short-handed chance to score late in the second, but Georgiev stopped Adam Erne’s shot.
"We didn’t capitalize on our power-play chances," Detroit captain Dylan Larkin said. "When we had a power play with it 3-1, we give up a shorty and another goal right after that. That’s just a lapse and we left Huss out to dry."
Detroit has lost nine of its last 11 games, fading from contention for a wild card and an opportunity to make the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
SCORING DEPTH
Eller, a third-line center, had a goal for the second straight game and has scored nine times this season.
"He's big and strong on the puck and he can play in traffic," Bednar said. "He can provide a little bit of offense. He's not afraid to hang onto the puck and make plays."
THE BIG KID
Detroit’s 6-foot-6, 209-pound defenseman Simon Edvinsson, the No. 6 pick overall in 2021, made his NHL debut.
"I was nervous at the beginning of course," the 20-year-old Swede said. "It was awesome to play here in front of the fans, and I felt comfortable with the pace. Of course there are things I need to do better in the system, but it felt better in the third and I need to build on that."
NOTES
Avs F Andrew Cogliano left the ice early in the game after blocking a shot. His playing time was limited the rest of the afternoon, but Bednar does not expect it to be anything serious. ... Colorado has won five straight games for the third straight month, including a season-high six-game streak in January. ... Red Wings D Ben Chiarot was scratched with an upper-body injury and is expected to be out for at least one week. ... MacKinnon, the No. 1 pick overall in 2013, has scored at least 30 goals for the fifth time in his career. ... MacKinnon and Cole Makar, who had three assists to increase his total to 45 this season, have at least a point in eight straight games.
UP NEXT
Avalanche: Host Chicago on Monday.
Red Wings: Host Florida on Monday.