Curse broken: Avalanche exorcise overtime demons with 5-4 win

Curse Broken: Avalanche End Overtime Losing Streak with 5-4 Win

The Colorado Avalanche snapped their five-game overtime losing streak with a 5-4 victory Sunday night at Rogers Arena, highlighted by Gavin Brindley's overtime goal. This game confirms Brindley's rising importance to the team.

Standout Performances

Nathan MacKinnon led the Avalanche’s effort, recording five points, including two goals—one on the power play—and three assists. After a strong weekend with nine points, including a two-goal, two-assist game on Saturday against the Oilers, MacKinnon now tops the NHL with 14 goals and 29 points.

Other key contributors included Artturi Lehkonen, who scored twice with one power-play goal, and Cale Makar and Valeri Nichushkin, each adding two assists. Goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood made 29 saves in his second start of the season.

Vancouver's Response

Each scored for Vancouver, with Kevin Lankinen stopping 27 shots.

Game Highlights

At 6:41 of the first period, Makar carried the puck through the neutral zone into the right circle, passing to Nichushkin. Nichushkin executed a deceptive toe-drag move, drawing the defense before setting up MacKinnon for a one-timer that beat Lankinen, giving Colorado a 1–0 lead.

“Nichushkin deftly sold the shot, toe-dragging the puck across the slot and freezing the defense just long enough for MacKinnon to step into a one-timer, hammering it into an open net,”

Shortly after, following a slashing penalty drawn by Ross Colton, Colorado scored again on the power play.

Author's summary: The Avalanche’s win ended their overtime misfortune, boosted by Brindley’s clutch goal and MacKinnon’s dominant weekend, affirming their NHL leadership.

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The Hockey News The Hockey News — 2025-11-10

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