In Calgary, the Colorado Avalanche scored three times in the first period and then locked the defensive side of their game, and downed the Flames, 4-1, on Wednesday.
Alexandar Georgiev made 34 saves in the Avs win.
“We’re playing so confident and it’s definitely a different game defensively,” said Georgiev, who made his first start since Jan. 10. “We play sharp. Great. We’ve got to keep it going like that.”
Colorado improved to 23-17-3.
Mikko Rantanen scored in the first period to give the Avs a 1-0 lead.
“That’s what we have to do more,” Rantanen said. “Just be ready to play right away from the start of the puck [drop] so if the opposing team is not on their toes we can take advantage and that’s what we did.”
Artturi Lehkonen hit for a double in the frame to send the game to the middle frame with a 3-0 lead to the Avs.
Tyler Toffoli scored the Flames only goal in the third period to make the score, 3-1.
“We’ve played 46 games now and we’re still looking for a really good game,” Calgary center Elias Lindholm said. “It’s concerning.”
Calgary dropped to 21-16-9.
“Obviously, we didn’t come out ready to go and they did,” Toffoli said. “They were faster in all areas of the ice — skating, passing, and everything. We were trying to find our way back into the game, but they’re the defending [Stanley Cup] champions for a reason.”
Rantanen was credited with a goal with less than a minute left in the game, when he was slashed on a breakaway on an empty net.
Jacob Markstrom made 27 saves in the Calgary loss.
“Honestly, when you come out like that in the first against the champs, it’s not gonna work very well,” Lindholm said. “You can’t expect to win when you play like that. So, obviously, that first period set the whole game up.”
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Cale Makar was a scratch for the Avs for an undisclosed injury.
“It’s big. It’s obviously impossible to replace Cale, the best [defenseman] in the world,” said Rantanen, who also had an assist. “I think we came together as a team. Just got to defend, that’s what we have to focus on. The goals are going to come.”
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