The Carolina Hurricanes traveled to the Mile High City to take on the Colorado Avalanche in a highly anticipated matchup between two of the preseason favorites to win the Stanley Cup. The Avalanche used a five-goal second period to propel it to a 6-4 victory over the Canes.
Carolina (3-3-0) was looking to rebound after a 7-4 loss to the Seattle Kraken in its last matchup, but Colorado (5-0-0) proved to be too much to handle and extended its win streak to five games with a victory over the Canes.
Initially, it seemed like the fans were in for a low-scoring, grind-it-out game between the two heavyweights, with both teams struggling to find an offensive rhythm throughout the first period. Both goalies made key saves to keep the game at a 0-0 deadlock for the majority of the period.
With just under four minutes left in the first period, the Hurricanes broke the seal when center Jesperi Kotkaniemi found the back of the net off a fancy no-look pass from right wing Stefan Noesen. But Carolina’s lead didn’t last long — Colorado tied the game on a power play goal by center Ryan Johansen, just six seconds before the end of the first.
The second period was a complete turnaround from the first — the two teams combined for seven goals in the frame. Unlike the first period, goals came early and often, with the Avalanche scoring its first in under two minutes to take a quick 2-1 lead.
The Canes struck back just over seven minutes later with two quick goals of their own to take a 3-2 lead, including a power play goal from defenseman Brent Burns. Just like the first Hurricanes goal, Noesen played a crucial role, this time by setting a screen in front of Colorado’s goalie that allowed Burns to fire a wrister right by him.
It looked like Carolina had all the momentum after two straight goals, but like it has throughout the entire road trip, its defense failed at pivotal moments. The Canes came into the game having allowed the most goals in the league, a trend that continued when Colorado scored four straight, including two powerplay goals, to take a 6-3 lead heading into the third period.
Down three goals entering the third, there was little hope for the Hurricanes to mount a comeback given the Avalanche was comfortable sitting back and defending its net, allowing just five shots on goal in the period. Carolina scored the only goal of the period, courtesy of a slap shot by defenseman Jaccob Slavin for his third goal of the season.
Despite another rough outcome for the Hurricanes, it’s worth noting they were without their first-line center Sebastian Aho, top-six defenseman Brett Pesce and their top two goaltenders. Goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov made his first start of the season against Colorado and struggled with a meager .786 save percentage.
The Canes will get a much-needed two days off before they wrap up their six-game road trip in Tampa Bay, where they’ll take on the Lightning. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 24.
