In the first game back after the trade deadline, Colorado and their new look roster defended home ice against the Maple Leafs, winning 7-4 on Saturday night. Both teams made multiple moves the day before to help bolster their respective lineups as they prepare for the playoffs at the end of the season. Both teams also got to showcase their new acquisitions in this game, as Scott Laughton and Brandon Carlo would make their first appearances in the blue and white, while Brock Nelson and Charlie Coyle suited up for the first time in Burgundy for the Avs.

The game got off to a wicked hot start, as Colorado’s Valeri Nichushkin would put one past Toronto’s net-minder Anthony Stolarz less than a minute in to the opening frame, giving the home team an early 1-0 lead.

However, the lead would be short lived for the time being as Mitch Marner found himself open on the rush after a quick feed from Matthew Knies and buried it past goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood, to bring the game back to even at 1-1.

Soon after, with 13:57 still remaining on the clock, Valeri Nichushkin would double down scoring his second straight to put the Avalanche back on top. But just over a minute after that, the fast paced action would fail to slow down as John Tavares would send the puck far side beating Blackwoods blocker and tying the game once again.

The first period scoring would end after Mitch Marner would pot his second goal of the night himself with just over three minutes to go in the frame and would give the Maple Leafs their first lead of the contest up 3-2 heading into intermission.

The second period was very similar to the first, still filled with the same levels of scoring, physicality and speed at both ends of the ice. Nonetheless, Toronto would extend their lead after John Tavares became the third player of the game to notch multiple goals, after his second came on the power play giving the Leafs a 4-2 advantage.

The Avs would strike back however, as Joel Kiviranta would fire one past Stolarz with a little over four minutes remaining in the frame to reel the deficit back and bring Colorado to within one.

The third period was entirely in Colorado’s favour as they picked up the pace and out hustled Toronto as they slowed down after the intensity of the first 40 minutes. Nathan Mackinnon and Jonathon Drouin made their ways to the score sheet and Nichushkin completed the hat-trick with his third goal of the night.

Colorado came away with the win and the new additions looked good tonight as Nelson secured his first points with his new team.

The Avs head play next against Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday.

Winner: Colorado Avalanche (38-24-2)

Loser: Toronto Maple Leafs (38-22-3)

KEY PLAYERS:

V. Nichushkin 3G 1A

N. Mackinnon 2G

A. Lehkonen 2A

M. Blackwood 1W, 17SV, .809SV%