The Colorado Avalanche are absolutely dominating the NHL's early-season landscape, crushing the Columbus Blue Jackets in a high-energy showdown that keeps their winning momentum alive! As hockey fans, we all love seeing a team like this roll through opponents without missing a beat.
Let's dive into the action: Brock Nelson kicked off his scoring for the year, Cale Makar contributed a goal and a helper, and Scott Wedgewood stood tall in net with 22 stops, powering the Avalanche (now sitting at 4-0-1) to extend their season-opening point streak to an impressive five games.
On the other side, Ivan Provorov found the back of the net for Columbus, while Elvis Merzlikins turned away 33 shots, but it wasn't enough for the Blue Jackets (1-3-0).
The game swung back and forth with some intense plays. Provorov gave Columbus the early edge, netting a quick 1-0 lead just 1:36 into the second period. He fired a one-timer—a shot taken immediately after receiving the puck without controlling it first—from the left circle, thanks to a slick setup from Kirill Marchenko. For beginners, think of it as a lightning-fast slap at the puck to catch the goalie off guard.
But Makar wasn't having it; he evened things up at 1-1 with 10:34 left in the period. His wrist shot, a smooth flick of the wrists to release the puck, sliced through a screen—a teammate blocking the goalie's view—and came from above the left circle. It's a classic sniper move that highlights Makar's elite shooting skills.
Then, Nelson flipped the script, putting the Avalanche in front 2-1 at the 11:46 mark. He redirected—deflecting the puck with his stick—Brent Burns' powerful slap shot from the point, sneaking it through the 'five-hole' on Merzlikins. For those new to hockey, the five-hole is the space right between a goalie's legs, a prime target for sneaky goals like this.
Things got heated in the second period when Dmitri Voronkov appeared to tie the game for the Blue Jackets at 16:15. It looked like a score, but the refs instantly waved it off. Why? The forward illegally batted the puck into the net with his glove after it had bounced off his chest first. It's a no-no in hockey, as you're not allowed to use your hand to knock the puck in directly.
And this is the part most people miss: Instead of a deadlock, Valeri Nichushkin seized the moment to blow the game open. With just four seconds remaining in the period, he maneuvered past defenders to get inside position and redirected Sam Malinski's shot low under Merzlikins' glove, stretching the lead to 3-1. Subtle plays like this can change the entire flow of a game.
The drama didn't stop there. In the third period, at 16:57, the Blue Jackets had another goal chopped down—this time due to a hand pass from Cole Sillinger, another illegal move where a player touches the puck with their hand before passing it. But here's where it gets controversial: Some fans might argue these calls were too strict, questioning whether they truly impacted the play or if the refs were overly nitpicky in a fast-paced sport.
Nichushkin capped it off with an empty-net goal at 18:07, sealing the 4-1 victory for Colorado. Empty-netters happen when the opposing team pulls their goalie for an extra skater, leaving the net wide open—it's a smart way to add insurance.
What do you think? Were the disallowed goals fairly called, or do they highlight a need for more leniency in the rules? Do you believe the Avalanche's streak is sustainable, or is it only a matter of time before they hit a bump? Share your opinions in the comments—I'm curious to hear if you're cheering for Colorado or hoping for a comeback from teams like Columbus!
