Avalanche was looking for solutions to activate their large offensive guns on Saturday, but deep players answered the call. Artturi Lehkonen scored twice, including winning the game, when Colorado beat the Blues 5-2 at St. Louis. Louis in Game 3 of their series.
In a two-on-one build, Lehkonen picked up a shot from wide side that evaded Ville Husso’s guard to give his team a 3-1 lead in the dying minutes of the second period.
After seeing the Blues close the gap before the end of the second period, the Avalanche closed the game in the final period and prevented their opponents from creating a draw.
The Colorado team led 2-1 in the series. The fourth duel will be held on Monday night, still at the home of the Blues.
Playing his first game since May 9, Logan O’Connor scored his first playoff goal. Nazem Kadri had a goal and assist for the Avalanche, while Gabriel Landeskog added a net.
Darcy Kuemper was lucky, but ended the game with 29 saves for Avalanche, the first ranked player in the West at the end of the season.
However, the success of Jared Bednar’s troupe was not achieved without pitfalls. The team lost the defense to Samuel Girard, who left the game in the opening minutes after receiving a solid check from Ivan Barbashev.
It was no more positive in the Blues camp, who had to turn to Husso after goalkeeper Jordan Binnington was injured in contact with Kadri.
Colton Parayko and Ryan O’Reilly moved the ropes for St. Louis. Louis. Husso gave up 4 times on 23 shots.
Parayko opened the scoring in the fourth minute of play, but the game changed following Binnington’s departure. O’Connor quickly passed defenseman Justin Faulk and played a quick fake to Husso to send the puck behind the net.
In the second period, Kadri gave the Avalanche a 2-1 lead when he redirected a pass from Makar behind Husso. In less than four minutes, Lehkonen hit the target for the third time in the playoffs.
The Blues didn’t give up and made it 3-2 with 30 seconds left in the second period. O’Reilly broke away from a cover and jumped on the return of Nick Leddy for his seventh goal in the playoffs.
In the direction of the bench to offer an additional skater in his formation, the Finnish goalkeeper remained caught in the heart of a counter-attack from the visitors. Nathan MacKinnon put the puck to Landeskog, who had no problem flashing a red light.
Source: Radio-Canada
