Final - OT
Benoit lifts Avalanche past Red Wings
Mar 7, 2014 - 5:37 AM Detroit, MI (SportsNetwork.com) - Rookie Nathan MacKinnon set up Andre Benoit for the game-winning goal with 31.4 seconds left in overtime as the Colorado Avalanche edged Detroit, 3-2, on a night former defenseman Nicklas Lindstrom was immortalized by the Red Wings.Benoit was alone in the left circle and one-timed MacKinnon's pass from the right side of the net high over Detroit goaltender Jimmy Howard.
"When you give a player like MacKinnon that much time, he's gonna find the open man," said Howard, who stopped 22 shots.
The assist gave MacKinnon a point in 13 consecutive games, passing Wayne Gretzky for the longest point streak by an 18-year-old. Gretzky went 12 straight games with a point from Dec. 9, 1979-Jan. 5, 1980.
Matt Duchene had a goal and assisted on P.A. Parenteau's tying goal in the third period for Colorado, which has won four games in a row and snapped a four-game losing streak to the Red Wings.
"I think (the Red Wings) wanted to win this game for Lidstrom and I thought they did a lot of good things out there," Colorado head coach Patrick Roy said. "We found a way to win this hockey game."
The Avalanche are third in the Central Division, one point back of second- place Chicago and three behind St. Louis for first.
Jean-Sebastien Giguere turned away 35 Detroit shots.
Niklas Kronwall and Tomas Jurco scored for Detroit, which lost its second straight game on the night Lindstrom's No. 5 was raised to the rafters during a lavish pre-game ceremony.
Parenteau pulled the visitors even at 2-2. Duchene worked hard behind the Detroit net to protect the puck from Johan Franzen and he eventually got it out front to Parenteau, who backhanded the puck home at the 5:49 mark.
Kronwall gave the Red Wings a 1-0 lead, roofing a backhander from the bottom of the right circle on the short side of Giguere and inside the near post at 12:33 of the first period.
Duchene tied things at midway through the second period. He collected a carom off the end boards in the slot and put in a shot off Franzen's right skate at 10:11.
Colorado defenseman Nick Holden was called for tripping on the next shift, curbing his team's momentum.
Detroit quickly reclaimed the lead on the ensuing power play as Jurco scored from the doorstep at 12:10.
Game Notes
Lidstrom's number is the seventh retired by the Red Wings, joining Terry Sawchuk (1), Ted Lindsay (7), Gordie Howe (9), Alex Delvecchio (10), Sid Abel (12) and Steve Yzerman (19) ... MacKinnon has five goals and 13 assists during his streak ... The Avalanche improved to 5-14-2 when trailing after two periods this season.
- COLORADO: 3
DETROIT: 2
Final - OT
Mar 6 10:56 PM - Colorado Goal - Andre Benoit (4), from P.A. Parenteau at 4:28.
Avalanche 3, Red Wings 2 OT - 0:32Mar 6 10:56 PM - COLORADO: 2
DETROIT: 2
End of Regulation
Mar 6 10:47 PM - COLORADO: 1
DETROIT: 2
End of 2nd
Mar 6 9:53 PM - Detroit Power-Play Goal - Tomas Jurco, from David Legwand and Riley Sheahan at 12:10.
Avalanche 1, Red Wings 2 2nd - 7:50Mar 6 9:42 PM - COLORADO: 0
DETROIT: 1
End of 1st
Mar 6 9:02 PM - COLORADO: 0
DETROIT: 0
1st Period - 20:00
Mar 6 8:28 PM
Related News
- Avalanche Prospects Mailbag: Panning for Gold Dec 26
- Recap: Avalanche dominate in much-needed get-right game against Arizona Dec 23
- Open Thread: Colorado Avalanche vs. Arizona Coyotes (7:00 p.m.) Dec 23
- Preview: Avalanche square off against Coyotes Dec 23
- Weekly Grades: MacKinnon Nichushkin Domination Edition Dec 22
- Recap: Nathan MacKinnon career night strikes down Sens Dec 22
- Open Thread: Colorado Avalanche vs. Ottawa Senators (7 p.m.) Dec 21
- Preview: A fight through the darkness Dec 21
- Why Devon Toews’ comments will fuel the Avalanche Dec 20
- Recap: Avs get Mrazek’d in Chicago Dec 20
- Open Thread: Colorado Avalanche vs. Chicago Blackhawks (6:30 p.m.) Dec 19
- Preview: Avalanche in the Windy City Dec 19