The Colorado Avalanche’s special teams continue to struggle. With only three penalties in the game, Colorado served two of them and the Toronto Maple Leafs scored on both.
First period
Because of a Toronto penalty, Artturi Lehkonen scored his eighth goal of the season in his 500th career game. Nathan MacKinnon, who extended his point streak to 28 games and Cale Makar assisted him. Makar is now tied with Tyson Barrie for most points by a defenseman in Avalanche history with 307.
Good stick, Lehky! #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/iqmRdoNww6
— x – Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) February 25, 2024
Nathan MacKinnon continues his home point streak and the Avs have a 1-0 lead!#GoAvsGp | #EasyToCelebrate pic.twitter.com/y85YgZTbaS
— x – Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) February 25, 2024
About halfway through the first frame, Andrew Cogliano notched his fifth of the season, making it 2–0.
Take notes 📝#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/7EYEMF6bbd
— x – Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) February 25, 2024
MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen both picked up points on the play. MacKinnon with his second and Rantanen with his first.
Just over halfway in the first, Ross Colton received a penalty for interference. 33 seconds into the penalty kill, Tyler Bertuzzi from Toronto sends the puck past Alexandar Georgiev. Mitch Marner assisted him (49) and William Mylander (45) on the play.
BIRTHDAY BOY BERT 💯 pic.twitter.com/womdqBgA5a
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) February 25, 2024
Second period
The first half of the second period was scoreless. Maple Leafs goaltender, Ilya Samsonov, saw shots from Logan O’Connor and Bowen Byram, but none of them made it through.
Five minutes into the period, Bertuzzi scored his second of the game. Bertuzzi scored his second of the game with help from Nylander once again and Max Domi (23). This goal tied the game at two.
BIRTHDAY BERT x2!!! pic.twitter.com/MP3P9VQ2DS
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) February 25, 2024
Marner scored the only other goal in the period. He put the Maple Leafs ahead by one with assists from Matthew Knies and TJ Brodie.
No tips for these tricks 🪄 pic.twitter.com/agzLBSOyaq
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) February 25, 2024
Third period
Mikko Rantanen scored his 30th goal of the season from MacKinnon (62) and Bowen Byram (12).
Rantanen extends his point collection to 73 (30g/44a) on the season so far. He currently sits at No.10 in the NHL for the most points in the 2023-24 season. He becomes the first Avalanche player to score over 30 goals in four consecutive seasons.
Apple bottom jeans, Moose with the goal (THE GOAL) #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/7eXAVvCM4G
— x – Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) February 25, 2024
Rantanen took an unfortunate puck-over-the-glass delay-of-game penalty with 2:51 left in the third period. Bertuzzi scored his third career hat trick on Toronto’s second power play of the night.
BIRTHDAY HATTY!!!! 🥳
BIRTHDAY HATTY!!!! 🥳
BIRTHDAY HATTY!!!! 🥳 pic.twitter.com/qwB3kHQyJe— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) February 25, 2024
Up Next
The Avalanche will be back at Ball Arena on Tuesday, February 27, to face off against the Dallas Stars at 7:30 p.m.