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The Habs jumped to a quick 4-0 lead in shots-on-net before the first whistle. Avs second-stringer Reto Berra has been lights out his last two games, and appears to still be riding the wave, making a simply incredible save on Max Pacioretty moments before the Avalanche would score to take a 1-0 lead as Pacioretty unloaded a low one-timer completely alone in the slot.
The Habs continued to exert the pressure, jumping to a 11-5 shot-attempt and 6-3 shot-on-net lead by the ten-minute mark of the first period. With five minutes to go in the first, the shots were 12-3. The Avs weathered the storm thanks to Berra.
Mike Condon did not get any help on the three goals he allowed in the first period, especially the second Avalanche goal. After making a save on a breakaway caused by miscommunication at the offensive blue-line between P.K. Subban and Andrei Markov, the Habs won a draw in the defensive zone but lost track of the puck, leaving Nathan McKinnon a clear shot ten feet in front of the net, which he roofed immediately. Thirteen seconds later, Mackinnon would score again on an amazing backhand shot after taking a pass from Mikhail Grigerenko, and shelfing it over Condon's shoulder from an impossible angle.
Berra's performance in the first is the story of the game so far. The Habs 18 shots on net on 31 shot attempts were not enough to break through the berracade (as he's being called over at Avalanche blog, Mile High Hockey).
Alex Semin, and the Galcheyu line were the most productive line, being on the ice for nine shot-attempts-for and just one against in 5:55 played.
Scoring Summary
1ST PERIOD | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
03:26 | COL | Mikhail Grigorenko (1) Wrist shot - ASST: Matt Duchene (5) | 1 - 0 COL | |
18:25 | COL | Nathan MacKinnon (7) Wrist shot - ASST: Mikhail Grigorenko (4) | 2 - 0 COL | |
18:38 | COL | Nathan MacKinnon (8) Backhand shot - ASST: Mikhail Grigorenko (5), Matt Duchene (6) | 3 - 0 COL |
Penalty Summary
1ST PERIOD | ||
---|---|---|
07:58 | COL | John Mitchell Cross checking - 2 min against Max Pacioretty |
Shots
PERIOD | COL | MTL |
---|---|---|
1st | 8 | 18 |
Total | 8 | 18 |
Team Stats
CATEGORY | COL | MTL |
---|---|---|
Power Plays | 0/0 | 0/1 |
Hits | 13 | 9 |
Faceoff Wins | 11 | 8 |
Giveaways | 5 | 8 |
Takeaways | 1 | 3 |
Blocked Shots | 8 | 5 |
Penalty Minutes | 2 | 0 |