The injury-riddled Buffalo Sabres visited the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday night. Goals went back and forth in the first period, but the Avs pulled ahead in the third. Nathan MacKinnon nearly lost his 10-game point streak, but tallied an assist late in the third period. The Avs eventually doubled up the Sabres with a 6–3 victory.

View from the Mountaintop

Gavin Brindley, fresh off of signing a two-year extension earlier in the week, solidified Colorado’s choice. In addition, because of Valeri Nichushkin’s injury, the team promoted Brindley to the second line. The rookie winger was getting more chances throughout the game. One play stood out for him in the second period. Brindley’s beautiful skating put him at full speed before he even had the puck on his stick. He needed two strides upon puck reception near the blue line to bypass the defender. His wrist shot did the rest and finished the job in the nearside top corner to regain the lead.

Gabriel Landeskog had another goal taken away from him. Had the goal remained, Landeskog possessed a pair of goals in two games. Instead, Jack Drury was called for goaltender interference, even though he was leaning away from the goalie. Head coach Jared Bednar tried to challenge the goal, but the officials upheld their decision. It ultimately put the Avalanche on the penalty kill, but they killed the penalty. Later in the third, Martin Necas passed up the hat trick to give Landeskog the empty net goal.

The Avalanche power play continues to struggle to produce. Colorado has converted only 12 of its 69 opportunities, or just 17.39 percent. Thursday witnessed some gains, even though the team entered the match ranked twentieth in the league. At the first opportunity, Colorado possessed four shots on the goal, featuring substantial movement. So the chances were there; they just couldn’t get through.

Up Next

The Avalanche will stay at home and take on Patrick Roy and the New York Islanders on Sunday at 7 p.m. MT. Altitude will broadcast the game.