The Aftermath: Avalanche Historic Home Dominance, Defeat Predators 4-2

Winning at home has become an expectation. At least that’s what it seems.

Against the Nashville Predators on Saturday, the Avalanche didn’t necessarily play their best game, but they still put up 41 shots and doubled up Nashville 4-2 Saturday at Ball Arena. The Avalanche is now 13-0-2 at home and have won their last 11 home games.

“I thought we played really well five-on-five, and the PK, it was a little bit of an adventure tonight,” head coach Jared Bednar said. “But [Scott Wedgewood] was outstanding on the penalty kill. That’s where we gave up her most dangerous scoring chances against, and I thought they gained some momentum out of that.”

The Avalanche didn’t waste time. Defenseman Brent Burns delivered a pass to Nathan MacKinnon (26), who rushed the offensive zone and fired a wrist shot past his former teammate, Nashville goalie Justus Annunen, at just 1:26 of the first period. The goal extended MacKinnon’s home goal-scoring streak to six games.

“You always want to try to get out to a good start, and at home I think we’re doing a better job of that,” Bednar said. “Scoring early, anyway.”

The Avalanche added to the lead later in the period. After winger Valeri Nichushkin took an interference penalty to negate an Avalanche power play, Jack Drury scored during the four-on-four time. The centerman received a drop pass from defenseman Cale Makar, and his shot was wide. However, the shot deflected off a Nashville defender and past Annunen to make it 2-0 at 11:47.

Nashville scored on the ensuing power play just 50 seconds later as Jonathan Marchessault’s wrist shot made it 2-1 at 12:37.

The second period started in Nashville’s favor but shifted toward Colorado. During their pressure, Nashville earned a handful of dangerous chances, but Wedgewood made the necessary saves. Later in the second period, Nashville couldn’t avoid a couple of minor penalties, but it was one that didn’t hit the scoresheet that hurt the most.

With a delayed penalty called against Nashville and Wedgewood on the bench for an extra attacker, Victor Olofsson scored to make it 3-1 at 9:57.

Shortly afterward, referees nabbed Nashville bottom-six forward Tyson Jost for high-sticking Josh Manson, but a review showed that it was Manson’s own stick that made contact. Still, Jost couldn’t resist the temptation of the penalty box and took a pair of minor penalties before the end of the second period. He was called for hooking at 14:00 and high-sticking at 17:39.

The Avalanche failed on the power plays, but had several great opportunities. Late in the third period, Nichushkin added an empty-netter at 16:26 before Jost added a garbage-time goal at 18:57.

Wedgewood finished with 27 saves to earn his 14th victory of the season. Wedgewood is tied with Dallas Stars goalie Jake Oettinger for the most wins in the NHL.

Avalanche Analysis

What Worked: Spreading the Wealth

Late in the 2021-22 regular season, Bednar openly talked about trying new line combinations in the regular season so he could get a better idea of what he had in case he needed to make adjustments in the playoffs.

It feels like they can already do that this year. And they have.

Bednar swapped Gavin Brindley and Martin Necas, allowing the rookie Brindley to play with MacKinnon and Lehkonen on the top line, while Necas played with Ross Colton and Olofsson.

Watching Brindley keep up with MacKinnon is entertaining. You can tell the Avalanche are seeing if they can set themselves up for Brindley to be a larger contributor if needed. He looks comfortable on any line, with any center, in any role — even in a game where he didn’t necessarily play his best.

“We might need different combos eventually,” MacKinnon said. “I think it’s good to just switch things up sometimes.”

Brindley has been a pleasant surprise and has gotten to this point because he looked good as a fourth-line winger during the first month of the regular season. He hasn’t played such an important role yet in the NHL, but was a top-line winger at the University of Michigan, playing beside Columbus Blue Jackets’ 2023 third-overall pick Adam Fantilli.

“I just go with the flow,” Brindley told me. “I mean, you’re playing in the NHL on the best team in the league. I’m very fortunate to be a part of it, and I guess I just do everything I can to help the team.”

What Didn’t: Power Play Gets a New Look

Another game without a power play goal.

Bednar said the team was trying a new look on the power play. He used Necas and Brindley, both right-shot forwards, in the middle of the ice on the PP1 and PP2 units, respectively. Bednar also put Brock Nelson back on Nathan MacKinnon’s opposite flank. The result of all these changes was still finishing 0-for-4 on the man advantage.

I still wouldn’t call the lack of PP success a significant issue. They have plenty of time to figure it out, and they just need it to be figured out before the playoffs. But at least they’re trying new things. I’m curious about how they eventually get to the end goal with the guys they have.