3 Takeaways From the Avalanche’s 3-2 Win Over the Stars

The Colorado Avalanche may have been caught looking ahead when they dropped a 6-3 decision to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday. Staring down a home-and-away with the Dallas Stars, the Avalanche clearly felt they had bigger fish to fry.

The Avalanche came ready to play, and so did their superstars. Their top line did all the damage, accounting for all three goals as the Avalanche walked into Dallas and took two points from their biggest rival with a 3-2 win.

Nate Dog is on Another Level So Far

Nathan MacKinnon was already off to a strong start with 10 points in five games coming into this tilt. He took his game to another level, but only part of it had to do with his usual expected offensive output.

He already had an assist on Artturi Lehkonen’s first-period goal, but that was just the tip of the iceberg. He started the second period with another assist (his seventh already) before making headlines by dropping the gloves with Roope Hintz. There is nothing like seeing MacKinnon’s nose oozing blood to really get everyone going.

MacKinnon has already had a pair of fights this season, and it seems like his competitiveness is boiling over. You know the stakes are high when the best player on the team is willing to shed the mitts and throw hands.

Standout Game from Mackenzie Blackwood

While MacKinnon was the talk of the night, there should be ample attention for Blackwood. He’s had a contentious start, so much so that he’s been linked to a handful of trade rumors. The Avalanche are giving him the keys and he delivered against the Stars on Tuesday.

Blackwood turned aside 24 of 26 shots, including a brilliant glove save on Sam Steel. It is the kind of confidence builder that Blackwood needed to really establish himself. Against the most important opponent the team will face, he had his best game.

The Avalanche have one of the better goaltending tandems in the NHL, especially being able to deploy Scott Wedgewood for 30 or more games per season. That said, it is nice to know that you can give the keys to Blackwood, and he can come up when he is most needed.

It’s a Marty Party

Even without Cale Makar, the star power for the Avalanche was in full effect. He scored twice in the second period just over 13 minutes apart, both assisted by MacKinnon to give the Avalanche the lead and extend it heading into the break.

Necas is off to a very good start with four goals and seven points in six games so far. The question coming into the season is whether he could replicate his first 100-point season, and he certainly seems like he is well on his way.

When he is really clicking with Lehkonen and MacKinnon, it is nearly impossible for opponents to keep up with them. He may not quite be on Mikko Rantanen’s level but he is an excellent fit for what the Avalanche needed.

Strong Win on the Road

It is hard to ask for a better win than the one the Avalanche delivered. Hintz scored three minutes into the third period to cut the Avalanche lead to 3-2, but he visitors felt in control for much of this game. Led by the furiously competitive MacKinnon, you couldn’t ask for a bigger emotional boost.

The good times are short lived, however, as the two teams square off in Denver on Wednesday. We will likely see Wedgewood, and the Avalanche will be looking to grab a second important divisional win before hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday.