During the first period of the game in Denver, the Florida Panthers established a strong lead against the Colorado Avalanche with a score of 3-0. The Panthers' penalty kill unit successfully neutralized a four-minute double minor penalty caused by Aleksander Barkov's high-sticking infraction on Joel Kiviranta of the Avalanche, who had to leave the ice due to significant bleeding. Despite the Panthers' power play percentage ranking 15th in the league at 21.5%, they were unable to capitalize on a power play opportunity resulting from a cross-checking penalty against the Avalanche's Victor Olofsson. The Panthers are aiming for their seventh consecutive win, while the Avalanche's defense struggled, with only Cale Makar, Valeri Nichushkin, and Caleb Jones managing shots on goal. The Avalanche were advised to tighten up the middle of the ice and take away the slot from the Panthers to slow them down. Goaltender Ivan Prosvetov received very little help, and the Panthers managed a couple of good looks on their power play. Additionally, Ryan Lomberg of the Panthers drew a tripping penalty. The Panthers' penalty kill has been notably effective, with an 18-for-19 success rate since December 23.
Good start 📈 https://t.co/c40SRSiuJ7
1st period impressions: #Avs need to tighten up the middle of the ice to prevent the stretch passes down the middle. Prosvetov had very little help in from of him at the start. Take away the slot from the Panthers and it will slow them down #GoAvsGo @TheRinkColorado https://t.co/lzszC4R1vL
How we feeling, Cats fans?? https://t.co/GzdzpbXX09
End of 1 in Denver: #FlaPanthers 3, #Avs 0 … SOG: FLA 10-8. Panthers going for 7th straight win.
#FLAPanthers get a couple of good looks on that power play, but no dice.
END OF 1: Panthers 3, Avalanche 0 Shots: 10-8 FLA
Olofsson called for cross-checking and the Panthers will get their 1st chance on the PP. Panthers have a 21.5% PP (ranked 15th) #Avs #GoAvsGo @TheRinkColorado
We’ve got the @DNVR_Sports crew here keeping up with the @Avalanche game! #CircaLasVegas @CircaSports @DNVR_Broncos https://t.co/npotYaGVOA
Ryan Lomberg draws a tripping penalty with 3:01 to go after putting on an absolute clinic of puck possession. #FlaPanthers are getting their first crack at the power play.
#FlaPanthers kill off all four minutes of that double minor. They are now 18-for-19 on the PK since Dec. 23.
The #FlaPanthers penalty kill does it again - kills off Barkov’s 4-minute high stick
Barkov high-sticked Kiviranta and the Avs go on to a double minor PP. Kiviranta heads down the tunnel leaking pretty bad #Avs #GoAvsGo @TheRinkColorado
Makar, Nichushkin and Caleb Jones are the only Avs with shots so far #Avs #GoAvsGo @TheRinkColorado