Head coach Jared Bednar is known for his calm demeanor, but Tuesday's game against the Edmonton Oilers had him showing a rare display of frustration. The Avalanche fell 4-3 at Ball Arena, with a pivotal moment occurring when superstar Nathan MacKinnon was ejected late in the second period.
The Avs were on the power play, trailing 2-1, when MacKinnon charged into the Oilers’ zone, receiving a slick pass from Martin Necas. His shot missed, and with Darnell Nurse closing in, MacKinnon collided with goalie Connor Ingram.
The result? A five-minute major and a game misconduct for MacKinnon.
Bednar, reflecting on the incident, said, “[MacKinnon] makes the play on the puck, and I got his toes cutting up ice probably through the top of the paint, and Ingram’s on the goal line. There’s no chance that he hits the goalie if Nurse doesn’t run into him. He’s not hitting the goalie.”
Ingram exited with an injury and didn't return, but Bednar was adamant: “I don’t care if he’s injured, not injured, if it’s a severe crash, not a severe crash. It’s not a penalty.”
The penalty cut short the Avs’ power play. They managed to kill off the remaining 4:05 of the major and even tied the game, but ultimately couldn't clinch a point.
Ross Colton, Necas, and Valeri Nichushkin were the goal scorers for Colorado. Unfortunately, Colton sustained an upper-body injury and left the game in the second period.
“He took a shot from a player during the game and he kind of tightened up so he’s got an upper-body injury. Hopefully he loosens up for tomorrow and can play in Seattle,” Bednar commented.
Mackenzie Blackwood, starting after being pulled in Dallas, conceded three goals on his first 10 shots but improved as the game progressed. He made crucial saves during a lengthy penalty kill before Nichushkin tied the game. Blackwood ended with 20 saves.
The Oilers capitalized on their power play opportunities, going 2-for-4, with Connor McDavid scoring the game-winner on a beautiful give-and-go with Leon Draisaitl. Both McDavid and Draisaitl finished with two points, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins added two goals.
Colorado had another power play chance afterward but couldn't convert. Necas’ earlier goal was the Avs' lone power play success, finishing 1-for-3. Colton’s goal, just 24 seconds into the game, snapped a nine-game goalless streak.
The Avs shone in the first and third periods, but the second was problematic.
“I’ll give you an example, three or four times at the start of the second period, we try to go in on a rush, and we lose it and change, and they get odd-man rushes and a scoring chance against,” Bednar noted. “You can’t do that. You can’t do that against anybody, never mind the best offensive team in the league.”
The Oilers also faced challenges, losing Ingram, forward Colton Dach, and defenseman Ty Emberson to injuries. The game’s tempo shifted noticeably after MacKinnon’s ejection, with frustrations evident on both sides.
“It was a great game up until that,” Nazem Kadri said. “I think it was a good battle out there. Players were playing hard and, you know, it’s unfortunate that’s how it’s gotta end.”
Kadri also disagreed with the call on MacKinnon. “I think Nate makes an effort.
He’s diving across the top of the crease to try to get out of the way, like that’s a part of the rule for the player to at least make some sort of attempt. There was clear contact.
I have no idea how that was a five-minute.”
On a positive note, Valeri Nichushkin is finding his groove again. After some inconsistent stretches this season, he's been producing like the power forward fans know and love, reflected on the scoresheet over the past few games.
As for the penalty on MacKinnon, it remains a head-scratcher. Regardless of the initial call, the severity of the penalty seemed excessive.
Bednar summed up his feelings, “I really don’t give a crap if the goalies hurt. That’s on their D.”