10 Observations
10 Observations: New Avalanche Contribute in Victory

To say the new guys, Martin Necas and Jack Drury, were worth the trade of Mikko Rantanen is way too soon, and I would never. But, we have to look to the future because what’s done is done and there are still 31 games to be played.
The two forwards contributed points in the 5-4 win over the New York Rangers on Sunday afternoon. Just how much and to what degree is quite notable.
READ MORE: Good & Bad: Cale Makar Scores 2 Goals in 5-4 Win Over Rangers
10 Observations
1. It was a game of firsts. Drury scored the first goal of the game, in the first period and was assisted by Keaton Middleton โ you guessed it, his first point with the Avalanche.
Necas earned his first points โ two assists, one was on the power play โ in burgundy and blue. It was also the first time I’ve seen a team hit the post that many times in one game. I still have that “dinging” sound resonating through my head.
“Marty (Necas) could have had three goals himself,” head coach Jared Bednar said.
2. Mackenzie Blackwood’s outstanding play and timely, huge saves continue to give the Avs a chance to win when they make mistakes. His performance went a long way in helping the slight betting underdogs according to Bodog News. The 28-year-old netminder made 33 saves on 37 shots.
3. The penalty that created the power play for Makar’s goal was called on Adam Fox. The Rangers defenseman tried to take Parker Kelly’s head off (maybe slightly dramatized) but the Avs forward skated away without drawing a penalty from it. Kudos to Kelly’s patience and smart play not to retaliate.
4. Colorado played with more energy than I expected on a back-to-back after an emotional 36-plus hours and a disappointing loss to the Boston Bruins the afternoon before.
5. Turnovers were an issue for Josh Manson and Sam Malinski. The defensemen combined for seven giveaways from defensive errors.
6. Nathan MacKinnon typically has the most shots on goal per game but not Sunday. Devon Toews had four and Necas had three, while MacKinnon registered one.
7. The U.S.-born line, Ross Colton โ Drury โ Miles Wood, was not bad considering it was the first time they played together and Wood’s first game back from injury. Bednar may give it another shot but if it doesn’t come together, he may try dropping Wood to the fourth line and moving Logan O’Connor up to the third.
8. Drury only won four of nine faceoffs but he is known to be good in the dot and the Avs need that. They are the second-to-last in the league in faceoff win percentage (only .2% higher than the Anaheim Ducks).
9. Makar was robbed of a hat trick due to a goaltender interference call by the officials. Makar beat Igor Shesterkin but the goal was waived off immediately as Miles Wood was in the crease.
“I still think we’re getting that call. We’re in there. It’s clean. The whole time it’s clean. (Alexis) Lafreniรจre slips in behind Wood, who’s in the blue paint, and there’s a little bump there,” Bednar said. “Then Lafreniรจre goes into him. So my gut feeling is we can’t challenge it and give them a chance to tie it on the power play.”
10. The holding-the-stick call on Makar with just under two and a half minutes left in the game was not a good one. Nonetheless, he came flying out of the box to get possession of the puck, take it down the ice and make a beautiful pass to Artturi Lehkonen for the game-winner with 15 seconds left.