This was a game the Jackets failed to take advantage of.
Coming off a win in Arizona on Thursday, the Jackets had lots going for them — some injuries on the Avs, whereas we just got Texier back on the roster (thank God), plus Emil Bemstrom with two goals out of his last two shots. However, two goals wasn’t enough to earn two points in Denver, and a number of mistakes and missed opportunities played a role in that.
First Period:
Jackets took the lead in the first five minutes, with Emil Bemstrom’s shot finding the back of the net off a lucky rebound from a Seth Jones slap shot. And it was a power-play goal, so that was a nice reminder that those are still possible for us!
Jones and Nyquist had the assists on Bemstrom’s goal.
This is the Jackets’ eighth road game and Nyquist has added at least a point in all eight.
He is one game behind Rick Nash and Derick Brassard for third-longest road point streak in #CBJ history.
— Brian Hedger (@BrianHedger) November 10, 2019
Joonas Korpisalo played a solid game, making a number of confident saves and not giving the four goals up easily.
Samuel Girard ties it up 1-1 for the Avs, and Zach Werenski answers with five minutes left in the first to make it 2-1, Jackets. Unfortunately, the first period would be the beginning and the end of scoring in this game for the Jackets. But, Z was able to cement his spot with this goal as having the most career goals as a defenseman in franchise history.
Second Period:
Denver’s Cale Makar had an awesome game — a rookie who didn’t play a single NHL game last year, he came out and scored two tonight in the second period, bringing the score to 3-2, Avalanche.
Late in the second, Nick Foligno nails Pierre-Edouard Bellemare in a jumping hit under the chin — he’s assessed with a five minute major penalty and game misconduct for that, leaving the game with a little over two minutes left in the second period.
In his post-game interview, he comes across as very apologetic and he did check in with the Avs locker room to make sure Bellemare was doing okay (he was) — but it was still a dumb hit that shouldn’t come from the captain, who typically doesn’t play a dirty game. There was no question that the hit was inappropriate — the penalty was well deserved.
Third Period:
Foligno’s 5-minute penalty bled into the third period, and the Jackets were able to kill it — an important accomplishment, rendered somewhat irrelevant by the fact that Nazem Kadri was able to put another one past Korpi, bringing the score to 4-2. Korpi was demonstrably angry after that one, smashing his stick and flinging the puck down the ice.
Well, folks, that’s game — the positives were that the Jackets were able to find the net twice, once on a power play, and that the goals were scored by young players, who are really shining right now. Negatives are the loss overall and the ugly and unnecessary hit Nick Foligno made.
The Jackets have a couple days off before they face the Canadiens in Montreal on Tuesday, wrapping up their three-game road trip before facing the defending Cup champions at home on Friday night.