The Colorado Avalanche ambushed the Ottawa Senators’ goaltenders so badly Thursday night the visitors signed a new one in the middle of the game.
The timing was most likely a coincidence, but it was also that kind of night at Ball Arena. Colorado shook off a mini-slump and blasted Ottawa in a 8-2 win, which included five goals in a span of 6 minutes, 18 seconds. Josh Manson had two goals and four points, both career highs, Nathan MacKinnon had another four-point night to regain the NHL scoring lead.
Even the beleaguered power play scored twice for the second time in four games. The Avs stopped a two-game regulation losing, and improved to 18-0-2 at home this season.
The Avs chased both Senators goaltenders from this game. Leevi Merilainen was pulled after allowing three goals on 12 shots, but backup Mads Sogaard yielded five goals in the second period so the starter went back in for the third. Ottawa reportedly signed veteran free agent James Reimer to an AHL tryout contract — news that first hit social media just as the Avalanche barrage was finishing up.
Manson had a Gordie Howe hat trick in this game before it was 23 minutes old. He took exception to a hit on Ivan Ivan and fought Tyler Kleven just 2:04 into this contest, opened the scoring with a goal at 10:11 of the first and then had an assist on Cale Makar’s goal at 2:35 of the second.
At that point, Colorado lead 3-0. Then Ottawa, despite playing Wednesday night in Salt Lake City, looked like it had a comeback brewing.
Shane Pinto scored at 5:08, and the Senators put the puck behind Scott Wedgewood a second time 63 seconds later after a pair of mad scrambles in front of the Colorado net. The Avs challenged for offsides, and the goal was taken off the board.
Then came the avalanche.
Martin Necas from a sharp angle on the power play at 11:46. Brent Burns off a Senators defenseman and in on the next shift at 12:03. Nelson with a one-timer on during a 5-on-3 14:23.
Manson’s second of the game at 16:48. Nelson’s second, again on a one-timer from the right circle, at 18:04.
From nearly a 3-2 game and the road team with all the momentum, to a 8-1 lead with a period still to play and “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” playing from the Ball Arena speakers.
This game was so weird it included a Samuel Girard fight, with Senators star Tim Stützle, which led to an eruption from the crowd and a “Sam-my” chant. There was nearly a second Girard scuffle. Makar went after Lars Eller for tripping up Wedgewood, and then the Avs goaltender got into a shoving match with Pinto.
Necas’ goal was his 20th of the season. Nelson scored goals 20 and 21. He has eight goals and 15 points in his past nine games, including five goals in four contests since being named to the U.S. Olympic team.
MacKinnon is locked in another duel with Edmonton’s Connor McDavid for the NHL scoring lead. McDavid began the day with one more and then added two in a 4-3 win against Winnipeg.
So MacKinnon responded with his fifth game of the season with four-plus points. His goal late in the first period was No. 36 on the year, and he now has 78 points in 43 games.
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