Gavin Brindley and his game-winning goal in the third period brought home a 3–1 win for the Colorado Avalanche over the Chicago Blackhawks. He played the part in what was an off-night for the Avs overall on Saturday.

Nonetheless, two points are two points for Colorado, where they’re a necessity coming down to the end of the wire. Still with games in hand, they hold a seven-point advantage atop the Central Division over the Minnesota Wild and eight points over the Dallas Stars as of the publishing of this article.

View From the Mountaintop

Special teams for both sides ended up playing a part in the result. Chicago’s first goal of the game came just seconds into their first of five power plays. A wicked shot from Connor Bedard did just that, the only shot of said power play. Meanwhile, the Blackhawks came into Saturday’s game with the league’s best penalty kill. Colorado’s league-worst power play record made life pretty easy for the Hawks. Despite some good puck movement, the home side, who went 0-for-4, did not create much. Perhaps the most frustrating moment came shorthanded, when the Avs had a 3-on-1. They over-passed and lost the golden opportunity when the game was tied early in the third.

After Thursday’s disappointing game against the Minnesota Wild, the Avs needed a bounce-back after dropping those two important points. While they got the win, it certainly wasn’t the most convincing. It took a late Cale Makar goal in the final seconds of the middle frame to even get the Avs even. It came after Colorado didn’t give up a shot on goal in over 20 minutes of in-game time. But it was lovely to see Brindley record his first point in 13 games and first goal in 25 games with the game-winner. It was his sixth goal of the year and fourth game-winning goal of the season. While quiet, Brindley has been coming in clutch when he scores.

Speaking of things being not-so-pretty, the end of this game wasn’t too kind to Brock Nelson. He blocked a shot in the final minute, leaving him hurt on the bench. He was okay heading off the ice. Meanwhile, in his pregame radio hit, Jared Bednar said Kiviranta suffered a concussion in Thursday’s game. By rule, he will miss at least one week as he recovers from his blow to the head. With another back-to-back coming up, don’t be surprised if there is a forward called up from the Colorado Eagles.

Up Next

Another back-to-back gets underway in Southern California, with the first leg coming against the Los Angeles Kings on Monday night. Puck drop is at 8:30 p.m. MT. Altitude 2 Sports will broadcast the game.