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Erik Johnson, a former player for the Colorado Avalanche, received a warm ovation and tribute video in his return to Colorado. The Avalanche dominated the Buffalo Sabres, leading 3-0 with 11-0 shots on goal in the first period. Valeri Nichushkin and Mikko Rantanen scored for the Avalanche, while the Sabres struggled with turnovers and a slow start. The game ended with a 5-1 victory for the Avalanche, with Nathan MacKinnon and Valeri Nichushkin standing out. Despite a better performance in the second period, the Sabres couldn't catch up.
When the Sabres don’t score first, which has been over 70% of the time, they give up 3.3 goals before they finally answer. https://t.co/kWnTDxPguw
When the Sabres don’t score the first goal, which has been over 70% of the time, they give up 3.3 goals before they score their first. https://t.co/ZGGaSizsZM
MacKinnon and Rantanen executed a near perfect 2-on-2 for the opening goal, but the work started in the defensive zone with Cale Makar. Turning Point (+) 👇 https://t.co/63WAJLNwCG
Slllllllllloooooowwww-starting Sabres’ ugly loss to Avalanche the continuation of a troubling trend https://t.co/ZGGaSiyVae
Through 30 games, the Sabres are (-18) in goal differential IN THE FIRST PERIOD. 😠 https://t.co/wrv30yh0ds
We’ve seen the Sabres beat teams like the Bruins and Avs. It’s no secret what they need to do to play a complete game. Yet another slow start doomed Buffalo in Denver. My observations from the 5-1 loss: https://t.co/XfOZrBepb9
NEW 📰 @MileHighSports Avs fans celebrated the emotional return of Erik Johnson with a lengthy ovation. Then they were treated to a 5-1 victory. "The reaction and the length of the standing ovation and everything, I thought was great. Well deserved." https://t.co/LXOpo9C34e
My observations from Denver: Another brutal, "maddening" start cost the Sabres in a 5-1 loss to the Avalanche. We heard for the past week that Buffalo needed outwork teams and not rely on skill, but familiar mistakes led to a bad first period. https://t.co/3WWcce6sUO
The Sabres were a no-show for the first 18 minutes in Colorado. https://t.co/2g6CG9sEnT
A quick story from Denver, where the Sabres lost to the Avalanche, 5-1. https://t.co/fv7hPnZ3Lz
FINAL: The #Avs win 5-1 against Buffalo. They are 18-9-2 on the year. Nathan MacKinnon is skating as well as anyone in the world, Valeri Nichushkin scored twice and Ivan Prosvetov got his second win in as many games.
With Erik Johnson in town, the #Avs are bringing "All the Small Things" back in the third period. Johnson, of course, sang the song to a Denver crowd at the post Stanley Cup parade rally.
Rantanen to MacKinnon to Nichushkin for a lay-up on the power play. Two royal road passes = no chance for UPL. Three points for Rantanen. Two goals for Nichushkin. Two points for MacKinnon. 5-1 #Avs
With Tyson Jost in the box for a puck over the glass penalty, a beautiful pass by Nathan MacKinnon sets up Valeri Nichushkin goal. 5-1
5-1 Avalanche. Nichushkin backdoor on the power play. Perfect pass by MacKinnon.
Nichushkin from MacKinnon. 5-1 Avs
#Sabres have given up a first career NHL goal THREE games in a row. Jeez. Malinski (COL) Kesserling (ARZ) Struble (MON)
Three straight games the Sabres have allowed a player’s first NHL goal. It’s almost impressive at this point.
END 2: The #Avs still lead 3-1 against Buffalo. Colorado had a couple dangerous chances, but the Sabres were generally the better team that period. No one scored in the frame.
Second period ends with no goals for either team, but not a pretty period for the Avalanche. They're up 3-1 heading into the third.
Colorado broke the string. They had the first 15 shots, Buffalo got the next 19.
The Sabres have outshot the Avs 10-0 in the second and now hold a 17-15 edge in the game. Crazy. Still down 3-1, though.
Crazy game. Colorado got the first 15 shots and Buffalo has gotten the next 17 and counting.
#Avs were outshooting #Sabres 15-0 Sabres now lead 17-15 and it's 11-0 in 2nd period. That's outrageous.
After having 0 shots through the first 18 minutes of the game, the Sabres are now outshooting the Avalanche...
Buffalo now has the last 16 shots in this game. Avs don't have a shot in more than 9min to start the second period
Zach Benson drew a penalty during that scrum around the Avs' net. Miles Wood called for roughing. Sabres to the power play trailing 3-1 with 11:57 left in the 2nd period.
So here's what just happened: - Makar had a great look in the high slot, but got hit as he let it go, so BUF gets a 2-on-1. - MacKinnon gets his 2nd pancake of the night on Skinner to end that - Dahlin tried to respond and whiffed, and the Avs hit a post.
Oh my goodness. Nathan MacKinnon just blew up Jeff Skinner. Huge hit. Rasmus Dahlin tried to catch Makar with an open ice hit but missed by a lot.
Nathan MacKinnon just laid a giant hit on Jeff Skinner. The #Avs got the puck and nearly had a tic-tac-toe goal, but UPL got across the crease in time to make the save on Cale Makar, who threw his head back in frustration.
MacKinnon just leveled Jeff Skinner and Rantanen/Makar almost paired up for another beauty going the other way. These three, man.
The Sabres have the last 11 shots on goal in the game ... they were being outshot 15-0 when Dahlin finally got one late in the 1st period.
11 straight shots by the #Sabres? Didn't have that on my bingo card when it was 15-0 for #Avs
Shots are now 15-10. Buffalo has the last 10 shots
Alex Tuch hit the post as Rantanen's penalty expired. The Sabres had time in the offensive zone during that power play, but they couldn't get any real Grade-A chances. Still 3-1 with 16:58 left in the 2nd.
Another ugly first period for the Sabres. According to Natural Stat Trick, the Avalanche had the advantage in: Shot attempts: 26-7 Scoring chances: 15-4 High-danger scoring chances: 8-2 Buffalo is 1-10-1 when trailing at the first intermission this season.
Scoring chances were 16-3 in favor of the #Avs in the first period, per @NatStatTrick. They might feel like they left a goal or two on the table if Buffalo gets the next one. 3-1 Avs after one period.
END 1: The #Avs lead 3-1 after an eventful period. Erik Johnson got a long ovation, Cale Makar left the game then came back, and Colorado didn't allow a shot for 18-plus minutes. The Sabres scored late, though, and will start the second on a power play.
The Sabres didn’t have a shot on goal for more than 18 minutes and 30 seconds. Zach Benson scored on the rebound of the first one. 3-1 #Avs
It took the Sabres more than 18 minutes to get their first shot of the game. But a Ross Colton turnover led to a flurry of Buffalo chances, and Benson cleaned up a rebound to cut Colorado's lead to 3-1.
Sabres get not one, but two shots, and the rebound goes in. 3-1. Benson.
Just two shot attempts for Buffalo, zero on goal.... Colorado, on the other hand, with 19 attempts / 11 on goal / 3 goals (@NatStatTrick) https://t.co/QUJbXvn9Vx
Now the Avs are getting a PP 15:13 in. Goals: 3-0 Shots: 11-0
Avalanche to the power play leading 3-0 and holding an 11-0 advantage in shots on goal with 4:47 left in the 1st period. Benson called for high-sticking.
It’s going so well for Colorado right now that Buffalo got credited for its first shot on goal and it has been taken away. 10-0 in SOGs with 7:16 left in the first.
The Sabres first shot comes with 7:33 remaining in the first. And it was barely a shot.
Multiple turnovers by the Sabres leads to a wide open Nichushkin goal. Then Wood comes down 2-on-1 after a Johnson turnover, 3-0 Col.
Miles Wood snagged a puck from Erik Johnson and bursted up ice for a 2-on-1 with Logan O'Connor. He kept it and shot the puck past UPL. It's already 3-0 here in Denver. Sabres just got their first shot with 7:34 left in the first.
Miles Wood on a 2-on-1, kept it himself. 3-0 #Avs It’s getting late early for the Sabres, who still don’t have an SOG.
3-0 Avalanche. Miles Wood buries a 2-on-1 shot to beat UPL. Sabres look completely overwhelmed.
A snippet of the ovation for Erik Johnson, who played 13 seasons for the Avs and won a Cup. Loudest I’ve heard Ball Arena for a return. The ovation lasted 45 seconds. https://t.co/3NVCywWuHw
The #Avs could have scored four times on that play. They could have at least that many in the first half of the first period. Val Nichushkin has been shot out of a cannon in this one and eventually finished it. Two points for Mikko Rantanen already. 2-0 Avs
2-0 Avalanche. Point shot created chaos around UPL, who was out of position as Nichushkin scored with 9:32 left in the 1st period. All started with Peterka turning it over. Buffalo has been outshot 8-0.
The fourth line generated a ton of chances, and then Valeri Nichushkin skated on and cleaned up a loose puck in front of the net. 2-0 Avs
What an absolute cluster of a shift for the Sabres, and Nichushkin scores on his 4th incredible chance in the first 10:30. 2-0 Avs.
Nichushkin on the rebound. Avs are all over Buffalo and up 2-0 before the Sabres even have a shot on goal. We're 10:28 into this thing.
The Avalanche look really sharp defensively. Quickly taking away time and space from the Sabres. Point of emphasis for the Avs after they allowed 5 goals in each of their past two games.
Long and loud ovation following a tribute video for Erik Johnson in Colorado https://t.co/p4fP77WmpS
Also, we are 8:35 into this game and the Sabres do not have a shot on goal (we think, anyway).
The Erik Johnson ovation lasted a full 45 seconds. Ball Arena put a spotlight on him and he skated to center ice to wave to the crowd.
Long standing ovation and “E-J” chant after the tribute video for Erik Johnson. Nathan MacKinnon went over and gave him a stick tap. That was the good stuff, all around.
A hero’s welcome for Erik Johnson in his first game back in Denver to face the Avs. https://t.co/Nnsp6twkdy https://t.co/HHUNVmoly5
MacKinnon picks Clifton allowing Rantanen to score on the wrap around, 1-0 Col.
Nathan MacKinnon just dropped the puck off to Mikko Rantanen, pancake blocked a guy and Rantanen scored on an easy wraparound. Pretty sure the Sabres would have liked an interference call there. Also pretty sure MacKinnon would be a sick tight end/h-back.
1-0 Avalanche. UPL got way out of position as Rantanen skated down the left wing, leaving the Sabres' goalie vulnerable to the wraparound. Buffalo down only 5:25 into the game and doesn't have a SOG.
The #Avs three world-class players just looked like three world-class players. Cale Makar put on a clinic in the defensive end and moved the puck to Nathan MacKinnon. MacKinnon dropped it to Mikko Rantanen, who deked out UPL and scored on a wrap-around.
Rantanen scores on a wrap around after a drop by MacKinnon. MacKinnon got away with a pretty nice pick, but it went uncalled. 1-0.
Sabres are going to have to manage the puck a lot better or else Colorado is going to put them down early fast
Mikko Rantanen on the wrap around. Nice feed from MacKinnon Exceptional work in the D zone by Makar 1-0 Avs
The Sabres have spent too much time in their own zone early. Turnovers are giving the Avalanche more opportunities. Nichushkin with three shots on goal in 4:24.
A bunch of Avs fans are hanging out along the glass in the Sabres' end of the ice during warmups. Holding up signs thanking Erik Johnson and welcoming him back to Denver. He just stopped at the corner to say hello to Gabriel Landeskog and his daughter.
Erik Johnson’s voice cracked His eyes welled with tears. He apologized for any “waterworks” in his return to Denver with the Sabres. Johnson is beloved in the Avalanche locker room. A few of his former teammates explained why: “He’s very loved here.” https://t.co/raAi2Wm68p
Been to a lot of morning skates over the years. Haven't seen someone as emotional as Erik Johnson was today ahead of his first game at Ball Arena after 13 years with the #Avs ... https://t.co/Hi67tNutIy