Avs survive rookie goalie’s Game 2 scare (+)

Well, they didn’t score a touchdown tonight. After a blowout 7-2 game on Tuesday night, it took overtime to decide a winner tonight. Just like everyone predicted.

Nashville came out playing a more conservative game, really focusing on defense. The Preds ended the first period leading in shots but it was the Avs who had better scoring chances and finished the game doubling their shots. The ice was more tilted than a seesaw battle between The Rock and a 3-year-old kid.

“My belief is, if we keep doing what we’re doing we’re going to find a way to win the hockey game,” said Bednar. “You gotta believe that if you keep playing like that and keep doing the right things, your checking game is in order, you’re going to find a way.”

The Avs played their game but Connor Ingram was just on top of his. The chances were there, but when a goalie finds his groove, it’s going to take a perfect shot or a fluke goal to get past him.  

“Obviously he played great,” said Kuemper. “He made a ton of big saves, stepping in with not a ton of experience. He was definitely ready to go.” 

He made 50 straight saves after giving up a goal on the first shot of the game. The team in overtime was getting creative with their shots by shooting it off the boards to have it bounce out front of Ingram. 

“You just gotta stay with it. If they’re finding ways to block shots, maybe shoot it by them and look for some tips at the side of the net.” said Bednar. 

It was a physical one with 51 hits in the first period and both teams never let up. Midway through the third, each team had almost 50 hits. It was hard to find a flaw in tonight’s game except not being able to punch one in on the power play. The penalty kill continued to be a difference-maker, killing a 5-on-3 early in the third period. The power play finished 0-4 with one late in the third. 

“I feel like maybe they were better at standing the line on the PK unit and stuff like that.” said Makar “That’s stuff we’re going to adjust to as well.”

The team heads to Nashville now for Games 3 and 4 Saturday and Monday. The team is expecting a hostile environment, especially after the way their team played tonight. I was corrected in my previous article so I won’t make the same mistake again. Two down, 14 more to go. 

• I really liked Erik Johnson’s defensive play tonight. He continues to lay his body out there and get his stick in the right place. B+…wait a minute…
• Nathan MacKinnon had “that” look in his eye toward the end of the season, like he was ready for playoff hockey. Two games in and he’s playing his best hockey. “He lives to compete,” said Makar. “It’s awesome, even before our first game you could see it in morning skate just how amped up he was.”
• The Avs battled deep in their defensive zone corners and really moved the puck out of the zone well. 
• The penalty kill looked strong again while the power play really struggled. The first unit couldn’t get anything going. Lots of puck-possession time, lots of good looks, but they just couldn’t put it past Connor Ingram.
• You have to give credit where credit is due and Ingram played extremely well. He faced 21 shots in the second and three power plays. He stood on his head tonight and gave Nashville a chance. You have to think he’ll get the net again Saturday, though Preds coach John Hynes hinted that Juuse Saros could be a possibility.
• Logan O’Connor replaced Andrew Cogliano tonight and was able to contribute immediately with an assist on the MacKinnon goal (well, actually, they took the assist away after the game). He also set a screen on Makar’s game-winner. “I like the fact that we were able to use all of our guys, all four lines. They played their whole team and so did we. Everyone on our team contributed to the win tonight.” said Bednar.
• Huge, HUGE 5-on-3 kill. That could have been a game-changer and they played it perfectly. “That’s a huge moment in the game,” said Bednar.
• Bednar challenged the Artturi Lehkonen goalie interference call that negated a Valeri Nichushkin goal, and lost the challenge. That contributed to the 5-on-3, as Nichushkin was called for high-sticking to start the third. 
• I think the call was a good one, though, as Lehkonen initiated the original contact with Ingram – then was pushed into him more. 
• Actually, Makar had the best scoring chance of either team on the 5-on-3, when he broke in on a 2-on-1 but was robbed on a glove save by Ingram. Filip Forsberg did hit the post on a shot during the 5-on-3, though. 
• Makar had 12 shots on net and 23 total shot attempts (!!)  “Just felt like the puck was finding us up top tonight, not even me specifically, we were just trying to work it around,” said Makar. ” I just tried to throw it low and luckily it went in.”
• “I’m really proud of our guys today for sticking with our checking game,” said Bednar ” We were really good about getting back about pucks and shutting down the rush.” The Avs finished the game with 51 shots.