The Colorado Avalanche continue to have a rollercoaster season. After a shocking 5-4 win over the Buffalo Sabres, which included erasing a four-goal first-period deficit, the Avalanche couldn’t find a way to overcome a much better Carolina Hurricanes team. They fought back but ultimately fell short, losing 5-3 in the process.
On Saturday (Dec. 7), the Avalanche had the opportunity to make the most of a lighter schedule, beginning with the Detroit Red Wings. Things were perhaps a bit more tense than some felt they should have been, but the Avalanche walked away with the 2-1 win. Let’s get into the takeaways.
All Hail Cale
In a season that has seen a litany of trade rumors, some of them that are completely non-sensical, there have been a few constants. One of them has largely been Cale Makar, still on track to have one of the best seasons of his already impressive career.
Though he came into the game on an eight-game goalless streak, Makar had been producing. On Saturday, he stepped up when the Avalanche needed him the most. Having lost three of their last four, the Avalanche needed this game badly and Makar provided the eventual game-winner, a goal on the power play at the beginning of the second period.
Makar has cooled off from his otherworldly pace, but he is still a vital piece for the Avalanche. Seeing him get back in the goal column has to be a nice boost for both the team and Makar himself. They’ll need more timely goals out of him in order to continue winning games.
Nichushkin Continues to Roll
He’s been a regular staple of these takeaway pieces but it’s hard not to bring attention to what Valeri Nichushkin is doing. He started the season slowly since returning from suspension on Nov. 15, going pointless in his first three games.
In the eight games since, Nichushkin has been everything the Avalanche hoped for and more. He scored again on Saturday night, kicking off scoring against the Red Wings with a beautiful wrist shot from the top of the slot. He tried to get a shot off only to have it blocked but followed his own rebound and got it the second time. This is the fifth time in the last eight games that Nichushkin has scored a goal and the sixth time in that span that he registered at least one point.
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