The Colorado Avalanche are absolutely dominating the early season, dismantling the Columbus Blue Jackets in a decisive victory that stretches their impressive point streak to five games right out of the gate!
But here's where it gets really exciting – let's dive into the action-packed details of this NHL showdown. Brock Nelson kicked off his scoring for the year, while Cale Makar dazzled with a goal and an assist, and Scott Wedgewood stood tall in net, stopping 22 shots to help the Avalanche secure a solid 4-0-1 record. On the other side, Ivan Provorov managed to find the back of the net for Columbus, and Elvis Merzlikins made a valiant 33 saves, though the Blue Jackets ended up at 1-3-0 despite their efforts.
The game heated up early in the second period when Provorov gave the Blue Jackets a 1-0 advantage just 1:36 in. He unleashed a powerful one-timer – that's when a player shoots the puck immediately upon receiving a pass without controlling it first – from the left circle, courtesy of a slick feed from Kirill Marchenko. It was a perfect start for Columbus, but the Avalanche weren't about to let that stand.
Makar knotted things up at 1-1 by 10:34, firing a wrist shot – a quick, accurate snap from the blade of the stick – through a screen (where a teammate blocks the goalie's view) from above the left circle. Then, at 11:46, Nelson flipped the script, redirecting a hard slap shot from Brent Burns at the point through the five-hole (that's the space between a goalie's legs) past Merzlikins to put Colorado ahead 2-1.
Things got even more intense as the period wound down. Dmitri Voronkov seemed to have tied the game for the Blue Jackets at 16:15, but the refs instantly waved it off. Why? Because the forward illegally batted the puck into the net with his glove after it bounced off his chest first. This rule, designed to keep the game fair by preventing hand-assisted goals, kept the score unchanged instead of forcing a tie.
And this is the part most people miss – with just four seconds left in the period, Valeri Nichushkin capitalized on the momentum, sneaking inside for position in front and tipping a shot from Sam Malinski under Merzlikins' glove. Boom – Avalanche lead jumps to 3-1. Talk about clutch!
The Blue Jackets weren't done trying, though. Early in the third period, at 16:57, another goal was disallowed, this time due to a hand pass from Cole Sillinger. A hand pass is when a player uses their hand to direct the puck to a teammate instead of sticking to legal stickwork, which keeps the flow of the game going without extra advantages.
But here's where it gets controversial – are these calls too strict in a fast-paced sport like hockey, or are they essential for maintaining the integrity of the rules? Some fans might argue that in the heat of the moment, these infractions are just part of the wild nature of the game, while others see it as referees doing their job to prevent unfair plays. What do you think – were the refs spot on, or is there room for leniency? Nichushkin sealed the deal anyway, scoring into the empty net at 18:07 for the final 4-1 score.
Overall, this game showcased the Avalanche's early-season form and the Blue Jackets' resilience despite the setbacks. It's a reminder of how one play can swing the momentum in hockey. Do you agree that disallowed goals add to the drama, or should they be reviewed more leniently? Share your opinions in the comments – let's discuss!
