In a thrilling NHL 26 simulation, the Colorado Avalanche finally snagged a win, though it was anything but smooth sailing.
Colorado came out firing on all cylinders, netting three goals in the first period. Cale Makar was the star of the show, scoring twice, with Jack Drury also finding the back of the net and ending the night with two points.
The Avs held a commanding 3-0 lead heading into the third period, but things took a dramatic turn. Winnipeg mounted a fierce comeback, scoring three times to knot the game up and put Colorado under pressure.
Makar, however, wasn't done yet. He completed his hat trick to regain the lead, and Brock Nelson added an empty-netter to secure a 5-3 victory.
Scott Wedgewood was solid between the pipes for most of the night, stopping 30 shots. The late-game struggles were more about defensive lapses than his performance.
For Winnipeg, Brad Lambert notched a goal and an assist, while Jonathan Toews and Cole Perfetti also scored. Dylan DeMelo contributed two assists, and Connor Hellebuyck made 24 saves.
FIRST PERIOD
Nathan MacKinnon set the tone early, forcing a turnover and testing Hellebuyck, who was ready for the challenge. Gabriel Vilardi also had a chance, but Wedgewood's glove was there to deny him.
Four minutes in, Logan O’Connor was penalized for cross-checking Haydn Fleury, giving Winnipeg a power play. But it was Colorado who capitalized shorthanded, with Makar executing a perfect wraparound to open the scoring.
The Avalanche kept the pressure on. Makar struck again, grabbing a rebound off Brett Kulak’s point shot, navigating into the slot, and beating Hellebuyck glove side for a 2-0 lead. Jack Drury then pounced on a rebound to make it 3-0 on just nine shots.
Late in the period, Gabriel Landeskog was penalized for holding Adam Lowry, giving Winnipeg another power-play chance. Wedgewood stood tall, stopping Mark Scheifele twice to keep the shutout intact.
After one, Colorado led 3-0, with a slight 12-11 shot advantage.
SECOND PERIOD
O’Connor nearly broke through early in the second, but Fleury disrupted his chance. Midway through, O’Connor generated another opportunity, but Hellebuyck was quick to smother the rebound.
The period was a defensive battle, with neither team able to score, setting the stage for a dramatic third period.
THIRD PERIOD
Winnipeg came out with urgency. Adam Iafallo’s one-timer was stopped by Wedgewood, who also deflected a Josh Morrissey slap shot. The momentum shifted, and Toews finally put Winnipeg on the board.
Lambert then redirected a DeMelo point shot to make it a one-goal game, and Perfetti's 90 mph wrist shot tied it up at 3-3.
But Colorado wasn’t finished. Makar completed his hat trick with a top-shelf wrist shot that sent Hellebuyck’s water bottle flying. Nelson's empty-netter sealed the deal.
THE REAL THING
The Avalanche will face the Jets in real life, with coverage starting at 6 p.m. local time in Denver, as they play at Canada Life Centre.