DENVER — In an exciting matchup on Monday night, the Colorado Avalanche secured a 3-1 victory over the Florida Panthers, thanks to two goals from Devon Toews. The decisive goal came at the 11:06 mark of the third period, giving the Avalanche the lead they would maintain until the final whistle. As the game drew to a close, Mikko Rantanen added an empty-netter, contributing to the Avalanche’s impressive performance during their home stretch, finishing the four-game homestand with a record of 3-0-1. Rantanen’s goal also extended his points streak to an impressive 14 games.
In net for Colorado, Mackenzie Blackwood once again showcased his skills, making 26 saves as he continues to excel since joining the team from San Jose last month. His record with Colorado now stands at an impressive 7-1-1. The night started well for the Panthers when Carter Verhaeghe found the net first, giving them a 1-0 lead in the first period. Historically, the Panthers have been quite formidable when scoring first while playing on the road, boasting an impressive winning percentage of .818 this season.
Despite Verhaeghe’s early success, the Avalanche were relentless. Toews equalized with just 1:42 left in the second period, when his shot hit the crossbar, then rebounded off the back of goalie Sergei Bobrovsky into the net. Bobrovsky was commendable in the first period, making 11 saves and notably stopping a breakaway attempt by Nathan MacKinnon. Verhaeghe’s goal was the result of a well-executed give-and-go with teammate Anton Lundell, marking his 10th goal of the current season.
Noteworthy moments included a milestone for Panthers defenseman Nate Schmidt, who played his 700th game in the NHL. Meanwhile, Toews not only scored twice but also registered an assist, helping the Avalanche’s defensemen lead the league with a combined 110 points, consisting of 23 goals and 87 assists.
The game saw a crucial moment with Matthew Tkachuk coming close to tying the game late in the third period, but his shot was skillfully turned away by Blackwood’s left pad.
Both teams faced challenges on the power play, as neither side was able to capitalize; Colorado and Florida combined for an unproductive 0 for 7 on power-play opportunities.
Looking ahead, the Avalanche will travel to Chicago on Wednesday, while the Panthers are set to take on Utah.
