The losing streak reaches four games in a row for the Colorado Avalanche, as they fell to the New Jersey Devils 4–3 in overtime on Sunday afternoon. Two quick goals in the first period, already with tired legs, meant the Avalanche had to fight back from behind. Meanwhile, New Jersey has won eight straight games.

The Avs’ first back-to-back of the season saw them drop both games on this short East Coast road trip. The pieces are there for Colorado, but aren’t fully clicking. Colorado remains tied for first in the Central Division with the Utah Mammoth and earned points in nine of its first 10 games despite not being at full strength.

Observations From the Mountaintop

After coming out of Saturday afternoon’s game with a loss against the Boston Bruins, the Colorado Avalanche were already going to be behind the eight-ball. With tired legs against the hottest team in the league, they played well. Falling behind 2–0 with goals just 37 seconds apart hurt them, but they responded well with goals from Valeri Nichushkin and Nathan MacKinnon. Afterward, losing the second period despite outshooting the Devils 9–3 hurt them. In the third, Brock Nelson equalized late off a great pass from Ross Colton, but another turnover killed them in overtime, finished by Jack Hughes.

Scott Wedgewood started every game this season and has shown signs of faltering as of late. This meant Trent Miner took over on Sunday afternoon. His game was fine; he made a few solid saves to start the game. However, the second goal of the game scored by Hughes was far from pretty. Miner was fine and showed he can be reliable, perhaps against other “weaker” opponents. But again, the return of Mackenzie Blackwood can’t come soon enough for the Avalanche.

The power play only got one shot, and it was less than a minute long with no effect. But head coach Jared Bednar shook up the lineup with Victor Olofsson moving up to the second line. Moving down to take his spot was Gabriel Landeskog. Both seemed to flourish and be good in their new roles. Through 10 games, despite losing four straight, Landeskog’s side has been good with an overall record of 5–1–4 with points in nine of its first 10 games.

Up Next

The Avs and Devils will do battle once again, this time though back in Denver. Puck drop on Tuesday night is at 7:00 p.m. MT. Altitude Sports will broadcast the game.