The Colorado Avalanche ambushed the Ottawa Senators\u2019 goaltenders so badly Thursday night, the visitors signed a new one in the middle of the game.<\/p>\n
The timing was most likely a coincidence, but it was also that kind of night at Ball Arena. Colorado shook off a mini-slump and blasted Ottawa in an 8-2 win, which included five goals in a span of 6 minutes, 18 seconds. Josh Manson had two goals and four points, both career highs, and Nathan MacKinnon had another four-point night to regain the NHL scoring lead.<\/p>\n
Even the beleaguered power play scored twice for the second time in four games. The Avs stopped a two-game regulation losing streak and improved to 18-0-2 at home this season. Their next six contests are here.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor sure, we wanted to come home and start this homestand off the right way,\u201d Manson said. \u201cThat was the mentality coming in. You don\u2019t want to lose two in a row, but definitely not three.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe put a little emphasis on this game. \u2026 We wanted to get on them early.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Avs chased both Senators goaltenders from this game. was pulled after allowing three goals on 12 shots, but backup Mads Sogaard yielded five goals in the second period, so the starter went back in for the third. Ottawa reportedly signed veteran free agent to an AHL tryout contract \u2014 news that first hit social media just as the Avalanche barrage was finishing up.<\/p>\n
Manson had a Gordie Howe hat trick in this game before it was 23 minutes old. He took exception to a hit on and fought Tyler Kleven just 2:04 into this contest, opened the scoring with a goal at 10:11 of the first and then had an assist on Cale Makar\u2019s goal at 2:35 of the second.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnbelievable. He was great,\u201d Nelson said of Manson. \u201cStepped up right away with a big fight. He was kind of laughing after the second period. Hockey is a funny game sometimes. He said, \u2018I\u2019ve never had a game like this.\u2019 It kind of felt like everything was \u2026 something was happening, something was going in. Couldn\u2019t happen for a better guy.\u201d<\/p>\n
At that point, Colorado led 3-0. Then Ottawa, despite playing Wednesday night in Salt Lake City, looked like it had a comeback brewing.<\/p>\n
Shane Pinto scored at 5:08, and the Senators put the puck behind Scott Wedgewood a second time 63 seconds later after a pair of mad scrambles in front of the Colorado net. The Avs challenged for offsides, and the goal was taken off the board.<\/p>\n
Then came the avalanche.<\/p>\n
Martin Necas from a sharp angle on the power play at 11:46. Brent Burns off a Senators defenseman and in on the next shift at 12:03. Nelson with a one-timer during a 5-on-3 at 14:23.<\/p>\n
Manson\u2019s second of the game at 16:48. Nelson\u2019s second, again on a one-timer from the right circle, at 18:04.<\/p>\n
From nearly a 3-2 game and the road team with all the momentum, to an 8-1 lead with a period still to play and \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d playing from the Ball Arena speakers.<\/p>\n
\u201c(Bednar) just said, \u2018Let\u2019s reset,’\u201d Nelson said. \u201cThey had a push there where it felt like they were throwing pucks and bodies (at the net), crashing and getting a couple too many whacks at it.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe reset, did a good job and responded.\u201d<\/p>\n
This game was so weird that it included a fight between \u00a0and Senators star , which led to an eruption from the crowd and a \u201cSam-my\u201d chant. There was nearly a second Girard scuffle. Makar went after for tripping up Wedgewood, and then the Avs goaltender got into a shoving match with Pinto.<\/p>\n
Necas\u2019 goal was his 20th of the season. Nelson scored goals 20 and 21. He has eight goals and 15 points in his past nine games, including five goals in four contests since being named to the U.S. Olympic team.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got a lot of confidence in him as a player and what he can provide,\u201d Avs coach Jared Bednar said. \u201cHe\u2019s certainly comfortable now and we\u2019re seeing everything he does. It\u2019s so much more than just creating offense.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think he\u2019s an exceptional player.\u201d<\/p>\n
MacKinnon is locked in another duel with Edmonton\u2019s for the NHL scoring lead. McDavid began the day with one more and then added two in a 4-3 win against Winnipeg.<\/p>\n
So MacKinnon responded with his fifth game of the season with four-plus points. His goal late in the first period was No. 36 on the year, and he now has 78 points in 43 games.<\/p>\n