Following a 7–4 win over the Nashville Predators, the Colorado Avalanche fell to the Columbus Blue Jackets 4–1. The Blue Jackets hold a record of 25–38–12, the fourth worst in the league.
In their last matchup, the Avalanche rolled over the Blue Jackets 6–1. Tonight was a different story.
First period
The first period of the night was a slow one from both sides. Justus Annunen only saw 11 shots on goal while Blue Jackets’ goaltender, Daniil Tarasov, saw seven.
With three minutes left, Samuel Girard was called for a holding penalty. The Avalanche killed 26 of 27 of the last penalties in the season. Annunen saw two shots before the Blue Jackets drew a penalty.
For forty-three seconds, the two teams played 4–on–4. The Avalanche currently ranks sixth on the power play this season. However, that play didn’t show tonight.
The first ended scoreless.
Second period
Halfway through the second, Blue Jackets’ Kirill Marchenko got the night’s first goal. This was his 20th goal of the season, and Erik Gudbranson and Johnny Gaudreau assisted him.
MARCHY KNOCKS IN HIS 20TH GOAL OF THE SEASON 🚨@FanaticsBook | #CBJ pic.twitter.com/l9s10qMNh5
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) April 2, 2024
Not long after, Alex Nylander scored his first of the night from Ivan Provorov and Dimitri Voronkov after an Avalanche turnover.
NYLANDER WANTED IN ON THE ACTION!! 🎉@fanaticsbook | #CBJ pic.twitter.com/Lz6aZfntHL
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) April 2, 2024
To round out the second period, Nylander notched his second goal from Gudbranson and Jake Bean. This goal sealed the deal. No chance for an Avalanche comeback.
Third period
Entering the last period of the night, the Avalanche continue to have a record of 10-16 when trailing after two periods. While the Blue Jackets are 15–1–7 when leading.
The Blue Jackets served two penalties in the third period, both opportunities for the Avalanche to score. Unfortunately, they weren’t able to generate enough chances.
Chris Wagner scored his first goal back in an Avalanche sweater from Sean Walker and Artturi Lehkonen early on.
However, nothing was to come of it as the Blue Jackets scored their fourth and final goal of the night. Cole Sillinger scored on an empty net with a minute and a half remaining. Alexandre Texier and Marchenko assisted him.
Takeaways
It was not a good night for the Avalanche offensively. It was a frustrating one for the team, who took 46 shots while Columbus only had 25.
With playoff season and the Presidents Trophy right around the corner, this was a game to collect points. The Avalanche trail the Dallas Stars in the Central Division by three points.
Colorado will continue on the road and will head to Minnesota, where they will play the Wild Thursday night at six.