Nathan MacKinnon (2G, 1A), Mikko Rantanen (1G, 1A), Matt Nieto (1G, 1A) and Erik Johnson (1G, 1A) all had multi-point efforts as Colorado skated to a 6-2 win in Game 3, giving the Avalanche a 2-1 series lead in this Western Conference First Round matchup.
Sam Bennett and T.J. Brodie supplied the offence for the Calgary, while Mike Smith made a playoff-career high 50 saves.
Smith now has a .926 save percentage and a 2.87 goals-against average in three stars.
The Flames did not practice on Tuesday, instead holding a series of meetings at the team hotel to review the Game 3 tape in more detail, and begin preparations for a pivotal Game 4 tonight.
"You're going to deal with adversity," said Noah Hanifin. "We dealt with it throughout the regular season and we're dealing with it now. You're not going to go throughout the playoffs without dealing with it.
"We're not in the spot we'd like, but we also know it's a series, and we have a great opportunity to change momentum and go back home tied. We know the situation; we know it's do-or-die for us."
As for the Avalanche, defenceman Samuel Girard - who missed Monday's tilt with an upper-body injury after absorbing a hit from Sam Bennett in overtime of Game 2 - was back on the ice Tuesday sporting a non-contact sweater and could be available for Jared Bednar's
crew tonight.
With Girard unavailable, Calgary native Cale Makar had a goal in his NHL debut after signing a three-year entry level contract with the Avalanche earlier this week. The rookie, who grew up cheering for the Flames, had two shots, two blocks, and played 14:19 on a pair with Patrik Nemeth.
Meanwhile, Derick Brassard (illness) was also absent from the Avs' optional skate Tuesday, and could miss a second straight game tonight.
