Despite the Columbus Blue Jackets being a very talented team, the Colorado Avalanche walked out of Ohio with a 4–1 victory. As the team celebrated Cale Makar’s 400th career game, he would chip in with two points of his own. The second line, which has been really struggling lately, finally lit the lamp. Colorado got a little help from the officials with two reversed goals on the Blue Jackets. The game would end with a very sour crowd, but the Avalanche swept the road trip and got back on track before heading home.

View from the Mountaintop

The Avalanche second line had been struggling as of late, with only two points coming into Thursday. That would change in the second period by just the tips. Brock Nelson, who is surprisingly playing after taking a skate to the wrist, tipped in Brent Burns’ half-slapper from the blue line. Valeri Nichushkin had just one assist before Thursday, tipped Sam Malinski’s wrister with 3.9 seconds left in the second. This could be what the second line needed to light the spark and get going. Gabriel Landeskog, who added an assist on Nichushkin’s empty-netter, would have tipped Nelson’s goal if he didn’t, so he is getting his hand-eye coordination back too.

Defenseman Cale Makar skated in his 400th career NHL game against the Blue Jackets. There is debate about whether Makar is not only one of the greatest, but THE greatest defenseman in history. Makar, at just 26-years-old, has a Stanley Cup, a pair of Norris Trophies, the Calder Trophy, and the Conn Smyth. After his 400 games, Makar ranks fifth all-time among defensemen behind Ray Bourque. With 25 game-winning goals, Makar also tops all defensemen in NHL history.

Scott Wedgewood continues to hold the fort for the Avalanche as he once again allowed only one goal. In his five games that he has played, he has allowed more than one goal only once. Wedgewood has four wins and a shootout loss through the five games. He has kept the Avs in every game, even after taking a shot to the throat on Thursday night.

Up Next

The Avalanche will head home to take on the rebuilding Boston Bruins on Saturday night at 7 p.m. MT. Altitude and KTVD (My20) will broadcast the game.