Games between the Buffalo Sabres and the Colorado Avalanche are always interesting. They can be a defensive grind, or they can be an offensive onslaught. On Monday morning, the Avalanche were looking to get back on track with a matinee matchup against the Sabres. This one would go right down the middle of the road as the Avalanche had a little trouble waking up. Colorado would get the scoring started, and Tage Thompson answered back. It was all Colorado from there as they walked away with the 3–1 victory over the Sabres.

View from the Mountaintop

Martin Necas continues to raise his value with two assists on Nathan MacKinnon goals on Monday. Necas has produced at a two point per game pace and shows no sign of slowing down. He has been seeing the ice in ways that previous linemates of MacKinnon’s have not. The first goal on Monday morning, Necas was setting up MacKinnon for a spinning shot in the middle of the slot. MacKinnon’s second goal was a perfect drop pass to allow for a screen on goaltender Alex Lyon. He almost had a goal in the third, but it was called back after he was offside when entering the zone.


The power struggled as they finished with no goals in four chances on the extra man advantage. The Avalanche have now converted only three times in 19 attempts on the power play. Every time The Avalanche had the chance to get out on the power play, they did better. They are passing better, and they are shooting more on the power play. The odd thing is that Valeri Nichushkin and Gabriel Landeskog are still on the second unit. With a new assistant coach, fans only have to remain patient and the floodgates will open with the power play.

Through the first four games of the season, the Avalanche have earned seven of eight points. This is with starting their backup goalie, Scott Wedgewood, in net every game. MacKinnon and Necas have 16 points in four games so far. Defenseman Cale Makar tallied a goal with a fantastic play from Nichushkin, adding to his four assists for the season. The Avalanche’s top talent is stepping up its game to gain victories this season.

Up Next

The Avalanche will have two days off before heading to Columbus and taking on the Blue Jackets on Thursday at 5 p.m. Altitude will broadcast the game.