It was a game that meant nothing for the Colorado Avalanche, but it meant everything for the Vegas Golden Knights. If Vegas beats the Avalanche, they would secure a spot in the playoffs. Unfortunately, Colorado lost more than the game in the 3–2 overtime loss on Saturday night. The Avalanche would not only lose Josh Manson but also head coach Jared Bednar.

View from the Mountaintop

Colorado started the game with an offensive push as the Golden Knights saw multiple penalties in the first. Devon Toews rocketed a shot from the blue line on the first power play, giving Martin Necas an assist on the play. It would be his 99th point of the season, a career high.


Mark Stone turned around and made the Avs pay for the only penalty they took in the opening frame. Stone crashed the net as the Avs failed to clear the crease, and he nailed his own rebound in.

Nick Blankenburg, who was traded to the Avs before the deadline, showed a little more comfort in the lineup. He scored his first goal in an Avalanche sweater after playing eight games. Defensively, Blankenburg was in the right spots, keeping his stick in the shooting and passing lanes.

The biggest concern during the game happened early in the third period. Keegan Kolesar was running through the neutral zone with Jack Drury chasing him. As Drury tried to poke the puck away, it flew up into the Avalanche bench. The puck flew right into the side of Jared Bednar’s head, and he had to leave the game. Consequently, Dave Hakstol was forced to take over the head coaching duties for the rest of the game.

Additionally Josh Manson was forced to leave the game because of an upper-body injury.

Despite all of this, the Avalanche pushed the game to overtime and eventually lost to a Jack Eichel wrister past Mackenzie Blackwood.

Up Next

The Avs will travel up north to take on the Edmonton Oilers in a potential playoff matchup on Monday at 7:30 p.m. MT. Altitude Sports will broadcast the game.