MONTREAL — The shorthanded Colorado Avalanche lacked some of the juice it had during an incredible comeback two nights prior, and the game-winning goal Monday night served as a symbolic illustration.
Joel Armia scored with 4:10 remaining in the third period to help the Montreal Canadiens defeat the Avs, 4-3, at Bell Centre. All five Colorado skaters were near their goaltender, but Armia was the only one who found the loose puck and was able to poke it past Alexandar Georgiev on a diving attempt.
“There’s not much not to like in the final 40 minutes from our team,” Avs coach Jared Bednar said. “Second period was outstanding, but we had trouble putting the puck in the net a little bit.
“I thought the guys didn’t look like we had our ‘A’ game from an energy standpoint. We didn’t manage the puck as good as we normally do at times, but played pretty hard and did some good things. Just didn’t capitalize on the opportunities.”
It was the Avalanche’s second loss in nine games, and denied them a chance to move within a point of first place in the overall NHL standings. Cale Makar had a three-point night for the Avs. Georgiev made 30 saves, though Bednar noted there were a couple of goals that his goaltender would likely want back.
The Avs were without several regulars again. Just as a couple of key players are nearing a return, the team learned that one of the absences will be an extended one.
Valeri Nichushkin entered the NHL/NHLPA Players Assistance Program, the league and players’ association announced Monday afternoon. He’ll be away from the team for an indefinite period.
“As much as this is our career, family comes first and health comes first and well-being,” Avs defenseman Devon Toews said. “We’re hoping he gets the help he needs. We’ll obviously miss him.”
He’s the second player on the team to enter the program this season. Defenseman Samuel Girard was away from the team for a month and missed nearly six weeks’ worth of games. His return here for the first time since rejoining the Avs was a focus for the local media after an optional practice Sunday.
Trailing by a goal and nearing the midpoint of the third period, the Avs put their four best players on the ice in a 4-on-4 situation and they delivered. It came shortly after a power play, but Bednar went right back to them.
It appeared at first that Mikko Rantanen had missed an opportunity to feed a wide-open Toews during a 2-on-1. He eventually made the cross-ice pass, and Toews still scored after the delay on a fluttering one-timer from inside the right circle.
Both of Colorado’s hometown kids picked up primary assists in their return to Quebec. It was an emotional one for both, including Jonathan Drouin, who faced the Canadiens for the first time since playing in Montreal the previous six seasons.
Drouin helped set up the opening goal of the game. He deflected Makar’s shot from the top of the zone with Colorado on the power play. Ross Colton, in his second game as the Nichushkin replacement on PP1, scored on the rebound.
Girard had the primary assist on Colorado’s second goal. He teed up a one-timer for Makar just 61 seconds into the second period. The goal was Makar’s 10th of the season, and he’s up to 51 points — one behind Vancouver’s Quinn Hughes for the league lead among defensemen.
Cole Caufield gave the Canadiens the lead early in the third period with a power-play goal. He had enough time to pick out a spot from the right of Georgiev despite the tight angle.
That was Montreal’s second goal with the man advantage against the Avs, who were missing Nichushkin — a critical player for them in all three phases of the game, including the penalty kill.
The Avalanche was also without Miles Wood (illness) again, though he joined the team here and could play Tuesday night in Ottawa. Artturi Lehkonen (neck), who is also nearing a return, should be a significant boost to an Avs forward group that desperately needs reinforcements.
“We just didn’t get to our game and show what we’re capable of,” Toews said. “It was just kind of an average performance.”
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