Artturi Lehkonen scored twice as the Colorado Avalanche defeated the San Jose Sharks 4-2 in Denver on Wednesday night. The win comes just before the NHL enters its Olympic break, with the Avalanche holding a league-best 83 points.
Key Contributions Support Colorado’s Win
Nathan MacKinnon recorded two assists, raising his career total to 700, and Valeri Nichushkin added three assists. Brock Nelson contributed an empty-net goal, while goalie Mackenzie Blackwood stopped 23 shots to secure the win for Colorado.
San Jose’s goals came from Timothy Liljegren and Philipp Kurashev, with goaltender Yaroslav Askarov making 38 saves. The Sharks have now dropped four consecutive games heading into the Olympic hiatus.
Crucial Moments Drive the Outcome in the Third Period
Midway through the final period, Josh Manson scored the go-ahead goal for Colorado during 4-on-4 play. MacKinnon cycled the puck to Nichushkin, who set up Manson at the point for a one-timer that beat a screened Askarov at 12:44. Nelson later sealed the victory with an empty-net tally at 18:43.
Game Progression Highlights
The Avalanche took 14 shots in the opening period but couldn’t score against Askarov until early in the second period. After Cale Makar’s shot was saved, the rebound was contested between Sharks defensemen John Klingberg and Dmitry Orlov and Lehkonen, who poked the puck into the net at 1:05. This goal was upheld after review.
Lehkonen’s second goal came at 15:47, assisted by MacKinnon, who passed the puck through the slot before Lehkonen fired a wrist shot past Askarov. This assist marked a milestone for MacKinnon, making him the second player in Avalanche history to reach 700 career assists, joining current team president Joe Sakic.
San Jose responded quickly in the third period with Liljegren’s shot off Parker Kelly’s stick deflecting into the net at 43 seconds. Kurashev tied the game at 2:51 when he skated alone on net and beat Blackwood with a shot under the goalie’s right arm.
Implications for the Avalanche and Sharks Ahead of the Olympic Break
The Avalanche have regained some momentum by winning two of their last three games following a rough stretch. Their strong position atop the league standings brings optimism as they pause for the Olympics. Meanwhile, the Sharks face challenges after suffering four straight losses, intensifying the need for adjustments when play resumes.
