Colorado Avalanche Defeat Columbus Blue Jackets, 5-3
By Andrew Dill
The Colorado Avalanche would defeat the Columbus Blue Jackets at home Tuesday night by the final score of 5-3. Colorado was in desperate need of a win after losing three out of their last four via overtime or shootout.
Ryan Johansen would score just 4:13 into the game as he scored his 16th of the season, assisted by Nick Foligno and R.J. Umberger. Just two minutes and 20 seconds later, Colorado’s defenseman Jan Hejda would score his fourth goal of the season, to tie it up at one apiece. Ryan Wilson would be called for hooking four minutes later, but the Blue Jackets would fail to convert.
After an even keeled beginning to the second period, Columbus’s Boone Jenner would score his 5th goal of the season, assisted by Blake Comeau and Jack Johnson. Avalanche winger Jamie McGinn would answer in less than four minutes later, notching his 7th of the season, assisted by Matt Duchene and Ryan O’Reilly.
Jack Johnson would be called for elbowing later in the second period, sending the Colorado Avalanche on the power-play. The power-play hasn’t been a strong point for the Avs this year but they would convert as Ryan O’Reilly would collect his 13th goal of the season, assisted by Erik Johnson and Matt Duchene.
Columbus’s Derek MacKenzie would be called for hooking 6:46 into the third period, sending the Avalanche back on the power-play. Captain Gabriel Landeskog would capitalize on the power-play as he would get his 12th goal of the season, assisted by Paul Stastny and Nathan MacKinnon. Just 37 seconds later, Columbus’s Nick Foligno would shoot one pass Varlamov, earning his 11th goal of the season assisted by R.J. Umberger and Ryan Johansen bringing the Avalanche lead down to one.
Nick Foligno would commit a penalty putting the Avs power-play back on the ice and this time rookie Nathan MacKinnon scored. He would collect his 10th goal of the season, as Colorado went a perfect 3-for-3 on the power-play. That would remain the final score as the Avalanche held off the Blue Jackets, 5-3.
Three Stars:
3: Semyon Varlamov (COL): 35-of-38 saves, .921% percent.
2: Nick Foligno (CBJ): One goal, one assist.
1: Matt Duchene (COL): Two assists.
The Colorado Avalanche (24-11-4) will continue their seven-game home stand Thursday night as they host the Philadelphia Flyers. Puck-Drop is scheduled for 9:00 PM ET, 7:00 PM MT.