The Colorado Avalanche didn’t waste long turning a chippy early tug-of-war into a 5-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, riding two Artturi Lehkonen goals, the first NHL goal of TJ Hughes’ career and a Nathan MacKinnon power-play finish to put the game away.
For a while, it looked like Pittsburgh might have the upper hand. The Penguins struck twice in a 29-second burst around the midpoint of the opening period, first on an Evgeni Malkin finish off a slick neutral-zone passing sequence and then on a clean 2-on-1 that ended with Bryan Rust scoring after taking Sidney Crosby’s feed.
Colorado answered fast, though, and the response came from its top line. On the Avalanche’s third shot of the night, Lehkonen buried a transition chance to get Colorado on the board.
The first period still belonged to Pittsburgh on the scoreboard and in the flow. The Penguins carried a 2-1 lead into the break and owned a 14-5 shot advantage, while Colorado’s power play early in the period did little to settle things down.
Then the Avalanche did what they often seem to do in the second period. Lehkonen tied it a minute after intermission by tipping home a greasy net-front goal, and a few minutes later Colorado grabbed the lead for good.
Nathan MacKinnon had a penalty shot chance and missed, dropping him to 0-for-5 in his career on the opportunity, but the Avs quickly made the miss irrelevant. One minute later, Gabe Landeskog finished a tap-in after Penguins goalie Arturs Silovs was found lying face forward in the crease.
Colorado added another before the period was over. After more power-play time for both teams, the Avalanche still hadn’t cashed in on theirs, but TJ Hughes followed right after it expired and scored his first NHL goal to make it 4-2.
Pittsburgh had some looks in the third, but not enough to threaten the outcome. Colorado finally got the power-play goal it had been chasing when MacKinnon scored with five minutes left, closing the door on a 5-2 finish.
The final numbers showed this wasn’t some airtight defensive showcase. Pittsburgh actually finished with 55% of the expected goals and Corsi for, and the Penguins also had the edge in high-danger chances, 18-10. Colorado still found enough offense and counterpunching to control the result, but it’s a note worth tracking.
The Avalanche also continue to operate with a thin lineup. With Logan O’Connor, Zach LHeureux and Nic Roy all unavailable, Jared Bednar has been rolling with 11 forwards and seven defensemen.
Noah Juulsen had a tough night, logging just over seven minutes and finishing with a 20% share of expected goals. With an East Coast road trip coming, Colorado may want a fuller group available.
In Other News...
Dave Hakstol Just Gave Avalanche Fans A Fast Reminder
Dave Hakstol wasted no time making an impression in Tempe, picking up his first win as Arizona States head coach in a 5-4 victory over UMass Lowell not long after leaving the Avalanche. The Sun Devils grabbed an early lead and then had to hang on through a late push, a familiar sort of test for any coach settling into a new job, and Hakstols rsum gives Arizona State reason to believe it has a steady hand guiding the program.
For Colorado fans, his quick success is a useful reminder of the experience Hakstol is taking with him. He arrives with a coaching background that stretches across both the collegiate and NHL ranks, and even in a new setting, he has already shown the kind of structure and resilience that can show up fast on the scoreboard. [Read more 🡒]
Avalanche Suddenly Have A Depth Forward Problem They Cant Fix Yet
The Avalanches forward depth is getting tested before they even get on the plane for a two-game road trip to Philadelphia and New Jersey. Zachary LHeureux and Nic Roy will stay behind because of injuries and are listed as day-to-day, while Logan OConnor also wont travel as Colorado continues to manage his return after a long absence.
OConnors situation is a little different, since he is healthy but will remain in Denver to get up to speed and because of salary cap considerations tied to his long-term injured reserve status. It leaves Colorado in a tricky spot for a stretch that already asks plenty of its lineup, and it is the sort of roster puzzle that can tighten quickly if the injuries linger even a little longer. [Read more 🡒]
Lehkonens Hot Start Is Putting Real Pressure On Colorado
Artturi Lehkonen has opened the season in a way that has given the Avalanche another problem worth having. With six goals in eight games, he has put together the best start of his career while once again showing why Colorado has always valued him for more than just the score sheet. He has long been the sort of player who can tilt a game with timely offense and steady two-way work, and this early surge only strengthens the case that he belongs in the clubs long-term plans.
The timing matters because Lehkonens contract is set to expire, which adds another layer to what is already shaping up as a key decision for Colorado. The Avalanche know what he has meant in big moments before, especially in the playoffs, and now they are seeing him provide even more regular-season production than usual. When a player with that track record starts this hot, it tends to sharpen the conversation quickly, even if the final answer is still ahead. [Read more 🡒]