The Colorado Avalanche needed a bounce-back game after their second regulation loss of the season on Thursday. Travelling to Madison Square Garden, where the New York Rangers have won only three games, would be the Avs’ best chance. Colorado began with considerable pace, an attribute lacking though the Rangers closed the gap. It would take some teamwork, but the Avalanche would prevail in overtime with a 3–2 victory.

View from the Mountaintop

Parker Kelly broke open the scoring in the second period with his sixth goal of the season. Martin Necas worked the puck down low and sent it up to Sam Malinski at the point for the shot on net. Kelly, who was on his knees, stuck out his stick and redirected the shot past goaltender Igor Shesterkin. The former Ottawa Senator is on pace to pass his career high of eight goals set in the last two seasons. His contract will not expire until the summer of 2030.

The penalty-kill unit came through today, killing the power plays for the Rangers when it mattered. The Avalanche, ranked third in the league, kill 86.4 percent of their penalties. Josh Manson and Brock Nelson led the way in the most important kill of the day during the third period. They worked hard not to allow the Rangers to get set up in the Avalanche zone and did not allow any shots during the power play.

With 45 seconds remaining in the third, Artemi Panarin hit the puck with a high stick, and then it bounced off Joel Kiviranta’s head. Five seconds later, Panarin scored to tie the game and force the overtime. The officials reviewed the goal but did not overturn it in a horrible call. It led to Nathan MacKinnon making the dirtiest play of the season so far. He toe-dragged the puck right through the slot and backhanded the shot past Shesterkin for the win.

Up Next

The Avalanche will face the Philadelphia Flyers this Sunday at 11 a.m. MT. Altitude Sports will broadcast the game.