In the first game of a back-to-back series against the Chicago Blackhawks, the injury-plagued Colorado Avalanche took advantage of a three-goal first period en route to a 5-2 victory over the Blackhawks, bringing the winning streak to two straight games.
In the victory, Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon had his fingerprints all over the first period, finishing the opening sequence with three points (1 goal, 2 assists), extending his point streak to six games. Avalanche forward J.T. Compher also recorded a three-point performance. Along with strong offensive contributions, Avalanche goaltender Pavel Francouz closed out the game by making 34 saves.
Nathan MacKinnon recorded 1-2—3 in the opening frame to extend his point streak to six games.
@Mackinnon9 has posted three points in a period on three occasions in 2019-20 (also Nov. 12 at WPG and Nov. 7 vs. NSH). https://t.co/WAMJT30kv7 #NHLStats pic.twitter.com/Bkyvf2OgZy— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) November 29, 2019
Colorado wasted no time in the game against the Blackhawks, as they would get up to a quick 3-1 lead following the first period, which all started with a goal from Compher one minute into the opening period. The Avs and the Blackhawks would exchange goals before Avalanche rookie defensemen Cale Makar tallied a powerplay goal to help his team bring a 3-1 lead into the second period.
Goal No. 8 of the season for our No. 8!#AllHailCale #GoAvsGo https://t.co/zUc5PkZD9P
— x – Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) November 29, 2019
Now tied with all NHL defensemen with 26 points, Makar continues to make a name for himself in the NHL in his first full season with the Avalanche. With his 26 points, Makar leads all NHL rookies in points with only Vancouver defenseman Quinn Hughes (21 points) and Buffalo forward Victor Olofsson (20 points) behind him.
Carrying plenty of momentum into the middle frame, the Avalanche continued to find the back of the net in the second period as Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin channeled his inner MacKinnon for a highlight-reel goal, and Compher tallied his third point of the game by finishing off an odd-man rush firing a shot past Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford to give the Avalanche the 5-1 lead. Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane tallied the lone second-period goal for the Blackhawks to bring the score 5-2, where it would stay with no goals in the third period.
Nathan MacKinnon to JT Compher.
Perfection. #GoAvsGo https://t.co/eU2ZAPCgHw
— x – Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) November 29, 2019
Despite the end result, there was some positivity for the Blackhawks as Kane extends his point streak to 14 straight games — the longest streak in the NHL this season. These two teams do not have to wait long to face off against each other again, as they will clash in the final game of their home-and-home series at the Pepsi Center tomorrow at 7 p.m.