Monday was the first game that the Colorado Avalanche had to play without head coach Jared Bednar behind the bench. Colorado just needed to get through the game unscathed while the Edmonton Oilers had everything to lose. If the Oilers do not gain two points in the game, they are at risk of dropping from second to third in the Pacific Division. Colorado pushed the Oilers as far as the game would allow them to in a shootout and walked away with a 2–1.

View from the Mountaintop

With Nazem Kadri unavailable because of injury, Joel Kiviranta gained further playing time Monday. The Finn stood out with his aggressive forecheck the entire game. He created several chances for the Avalanche, including one in the second period that led to a goal. Kiviranta hit Evan Bouchard hard behind the Edmonton net for Nic Roy to pick it up. He passed it to Sam Malinski as he pinched down the slot for his eighth of the season.

Brock Nelson played in his 1,000th career game in the NHL. He has played only 99 games for the Avalanche, and the rest were for the New York Islanders. There Nelson played 12 seasons and 901 games. So far in his career he has 334 goals and 318 assists.

The Avalanche did exactly what they needed to halfway through the third period. Valeri Nichushkin went to the box for a penalty, and Parker Kelly joined him after 35 seconds. Colorado successfully killed its penalty. Edmonton did not allow them to get out of their own zone for a change, and Colorado killed both penalties.

Although Nathan MacKinnon won the game in the shootout for the Avalanche, he did not have a point in the game. It is only the third time this season that MacKinnon has gone back-to-back games without a point (Jan. 4-6 and Jan. 28-29). Not that he didn’t try, MacKinnon hit two posts in overtime alone, almost winning the game then as well.

Up next

The Avalanche will get no rest as they head to take on the Calgary Flames on Tuesday at 7 p.m. MT. Altitude Sports and Channel 9 will broadcast the game.