The Colorado Avalanche hosted the Montreal Canadiens for their first game in 2025. The Avalanche were on a five-game winning streak and have looked much better recently. The Canadiens were coming off a two-game losing streak and looking to win their first game of 2025 after losing their first game against the Chicago Blackhawks. It was a tight game with plenty of scoring chances, and both goaltenders would stand firm.
Game Recap
The Avalanche got off to a strong start, with five shots on goal within the first few minutes. Their pressure continued as they would go on the power play after Alex Newhook was called for slashing Samuel Girard. They capitalized on this opportunity when Nathan MacKinnon found Mikko Rantanen crashing in front of the net, and Rantanen tipped in the pass to score the first goal. That would be Rantanen’s 100th career power-play goal and the fifth player in Avalanche history to reach 100 power-play goals. The Avalanche’s defensive play continued to be strong, as the Canadiens wouldn’t register their first shot on goal until halfway through the first period.
The Avalanche’s pressure continued as Ross Colton got a breakaway, but his shot was stopped as he crashed into the net and was called for goaltender interference. Though the power play for the Canadiens would be scoreless, they ended the period intensely, getting good looks on the net, but they couldn’t finish as the period ended 1-0.
The Canadiens continued where they left off at the end of the first period and came out much stronger and faster than the Avalanche to start the second. The Avalanche got some steam going, but the Canadiens defended many of their attempts well or shot just wide of the net. The second period was less eventful; the Avalanche controlled the puck well, but the Canadiens matched them regarding scoring chances. Kirby Dach was called for tripping Rantanen, but the Canadiens defended it well while getting a couple of short-handed looks that were either saved or disrupted and holding the Avalanche shotless on the power play. The Canadiens finished the period outshooting the Avalanche 8-5 as they were down 1-0 heading into the third period.
Montreal once again came out of the break strong, testing Mackenzie Blackwood early, and barraged him with shots. Their pressure continued as they headed to the power play, where Artturi Lehkonen was called for a high…
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