Avalanche Defeats Golden Knights 6-5 in Shootout After Erasing Multiple Third-Period Deficits

Victory in Vegas

The Avalanche erased third-period deficits of 4-2 and 5-4 to come back and defeat the Vegas Golden Knights 6-5 in a shootout at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday. Martin Necas scored twice for Colorado, while Samuel Girard, Nathan MacKinnon and Artturi Lehkonen each posted a goal. Additionally, Sam Malinski recorded the first three-assist game of his NHL career.

"It wasn't a perfect game from us, that's for sure," Avalanche Head Coach Jared Bednar said. "But we kept fighting and guys played with a lot of heart. Whenever you're down against a good team twice by two and you're able to come out of there with a win, I think it feels good."

With its first shootout win of the season and seventh-consecutive victory, the Avalanche improved to 28-2-7.

How It Happened

Alexander Holtz put Vegas on the board first at 2:43 of the opening frame via a shot from the doorstep.

At 34 seconds of the second period, Ivan Barbashev doubled the Golden Knights' lead with a shot from the low slot.

Girard put the Avs on the board at 5:19 of the second period with his third goal of the season when his centering pass was deflected into the net from the low slot by Golden Knights defenseman Jeremy Lauzon.

The Avalanche tied the game when at 10:27 of the middle frame when Necas scored his 17th goal of the season via a shot from above the right circle that redirected into the net off Golden Knights defenseman Kaedan Korczak.

Ben Hutton gave the Golden Knights a 3-2 lead at 11:36 of the second period with a one-timer from above of the right circle.

The Golden Knights took a 4-2 lead at 12:05 of the middle frame when Brett Howden scored via a deflection from the low slot.

Necas made it a 4-3 game at 3:52 of the third period with his second goal of the game and 18th of the season via a left-circle wrist shot off the rush.

At 8:21 of the third period, MacKinnon tied the game with his 31st goal of the season when he cleaned up a loose puck in the crease created by Malinski's right-point slap shot.

Colton Sissons gave Vegas a 5-4 lead at 16:00 of the third period with a net-front backhand shot.

With the Avs playing with its net empty and an extra attacker, Lehkonen tied the game at 18:03 of the third period with his 14th goal of the season via a one-timer from the slot set up by MacKinnon's feed.

In the shootout, Necas and Mitch Marner both scored in the second round before MacKinnon tallied the eventual winner in the fourth round.

Next Up

The Avalanche hosts the Los Angeles Kings on Monday at 7 p.m. MT on Altitude, Altitude+ and Altitude Sports Radio 950 AM.