DENVER (AP) — Ryan Donato scored twice, including an empty-netter with 57.8 seconds remaining, and the Chicago Blackhawks snapped a four-game skid with a 5-2 victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Monday night.
Philipp Kurashev, Lukas Reichel and Donato had goals, as the Blackhawks led 3-2 after the first period. Donato and Ilya Mikheyev added empty-net goals in the final minute.
The Avalanche were playing on the second night of a back-to-back at home and didn’t have their usual zip down the ice early. Once they found their stride, they were bottled up by Blackhawks goalie Petr Mrazek, who stopped 24 shots.
Casey Mittelstadt and Nathan MacKinnon scored for an Avalanche team that saw their five-game winning streak halted.
Goaltender Alexandar Georgiev settled in after a shaky first period in which he allowed three goals. He stopped 21 shots and contributed on offense with an assist. The Avalanche were 1-for-4 on the power play.
Takeaways
Blackhawks: Led by a three-point night from Donato, Chicago broke a six-game skid in Denver. The team clogged up the ice and neutralized the fast-flying Avalanche.
Avalanche: The fatigue from Sunday’s 5-4 win over Ottawa was on display. This concluded the first of 12 back-to-back games this season. The Avalanche saw leading goal scorer Ross Colton appear to hurt his foot blocking a shot.
Key moment
Mrazek ventured way out of his net to deflect a shot by Avalanche defenseman Sam Malinski with around 13:30 remaining to keep it 3-2.
Key stat
MacKinnon had a power-play goal in the first period off an assist from Cale Makar, as both extended their points streaks to 10 games. They’re now the first set of teammates in franchise history to notch season-opening points streaks of 10 games at the same time.
Up Next
The Avalanche host Tampa Bay on Wednesday, while the Blackhawks play at San Jose on Thursday to continue their five-game Western Conference road trip.
Conclusion
The Chicago Blackhawks came out on top against the Colorado Avalanche, ending their four-game skid with a 5-2 win. Ryan Donato’s two goals, including an empty-netter, were the highlight of the game. The Blackhawks’ strong play and Petr Mrazek’s solid goaltending led to the victory, while the Avalanche’s fatigue from their previous game was a factor in their loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What was the final score in the game?
- The Blackhawks won 5-2.
- How many goals did Ryan Donato score?
- He scored two goals, including an empty-netter.
- How many points did MacKinnon and Makar have in the game?
- They both extended their points streaks to 10 games.
