Avalanche Right the Ship Heading Into the Playoffs, Defeat Oilers 5-1

The Colorado Avalanche defeated the Edmonton Oilers 5-1 on Thursday night in the final game of the regular season for both clubs.

The Avalanche wasted no time. At just 1:19 in the first period, Valeri Nichuskin scored his 27th of the season, finishing off a beautiful tic-tac-toe play from Arturri Lehkonen and Casey Mittelstadt. The onslaught continued as Mikko Rantanen re-directed a shot-pass from Devon Teows at 5:48. Then, Nichuskin struck again with a re-direct on the power-play from Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar at 7:37.

Josh Manson added a wicked wrist-shot goal from the point at 10:17, and the rout was on. Edmonton would score their lone goal from a fluke deflection off of Dylan Holloway‘s skate on the power play at 15:22. Then, in the second period, Zach Parise finished a beautiful, hard-working pass from Ross Colton at 12:00. After that, both teams shut down for the night and coasted into the finish.

Here are the key takeaways from Thursday’s win.

MacKinnoning History

MacKinnon finished the regular season with 140 points, breaking Peter Statsny‘s franchise record of 139 point that has stood since 1982. MacKinnon’s two early assists put the game out of reach before the first intermission, and serve as a capstone to a Hart Trophy worthy season.

It can sometimes be easy to overlook just how special No. 29 is, but Avs fans should take a moment to pause and consider that we are undoubtedly witnessing one of the greatest players to ever don the burgundy and blue.

The 2023-2024 season has been MacKinnon’s most productive thus far in his career. It should also be the season which settles the debate for his place among the pantheon of Nordiques/Avalanche greats. MacKinnon belongs among names like Joe Sakic, Patrick Roy, and Peter Forsberg, and we are lucky for every game we get to enjoy him dominating until his number joins theirs in the rafters of Ball Arena.

Regular Season Farewell to an American Icon

Avalanche forward Zach Parise had previously made it clear he would retire at season’s end. Ahead of Thursday’s game, he confirmed it would be his final regular season tilt in a long and storied career.

Parise scored the Avalanche’s fifth goal on Thursday night, scoring to bookend his storied career. He scored in his debut with the Minnesota Wild way back in 2005 at age 21. Now 39, he capped his final regular season game with a goal in game 1,253 of his career.

Parise has 434 goals and 889 points across his 19-year NHL career with the Wild, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, and now Colorado Avalanche. The only thing missing what is certain to be a Hall of Fame career for Parise is a Stanley Cup win, which the Avalanche begin their quest for on Sunday.

Injury Update

Samuel Girard was held of Thursday’s game as he continues concussion protocol. Coach Bednar noted that he was encouraged by Girard’s progress but has not committed to a timeline for the return of the second-pairing defenseman.

In the second period, first-line forward Jonathan Drouin slid into the board in an awkward collision and immediately popped up, appearing to be in pain. Drouin could be seen visible frustrated on the Avalanche bench before going down the tunnel to be evaluated. Later it would be revealed he would not return to the game with a lower-body injury.

With The Stanley Cup Playoffs beginning for the Avalanche on Sunday in Winnipeg, the team will be desperately hoping both Girard and Drouin are healthy enough to fill their key roles on this Avalanche team.

Annunen Shines

Edmonton starting goalie Stuart Skinner gave up four goals on his first six shots faced before getting the hook between periods. He was replaced by backup and former Avalanche netminder Calvin Pickard.

Justus Annunen, meanwhile, is doing this: