After Nathan MacKinnon scored in Friday night’s contest against Winnipeg, you could read his lips saying, “That’s f***ing right.” If you saw the goal (click here for game highlights), you’d have to agree with Mac’s statement. The Avs were down 0-3 after a few bad bounces in the first period, but Landy got the Avs on the scoreboard with an early second-period goal. Then MacKinnon flew up the ice, as he tends to do, and fired a shot that pinged off the pipes and into the back of the net. The comeback was underway. They entered the third period tied at three, and after a 17 game goal drought, Burakovsky got the go-ahead goal. The Avs continued to storm the net and skated away with a 6-3 victory, making it their second three-goal comeback this season.
That’s f***ing right.
The Avs then hopped on a plane to Sin City to take on Vegas the next night. After an emotional victory at home, the Avs found themselves down one in the first, but Burakovsky (his mojo clearly back) tied the game at one. However, Vegas responded quickly to regain the lead and carry it into the third. The Avs have proven that they can come from behind, and Saturday was no different. J.T. Compher scored the game-tying goal early in the third, and it only took 26 seconds later for MacKinnon to find the back of the net to take the lead. The Avs got the W with a final score of 3-2 and defeated the Knights at home for the second time in ten days.
That’s f***ing right.
The Avs now have 17 comeback wins for the season, with nine of those games won in the third period, leading the league with 79 third-period goals.
That’s f***ing right.
Of course, we would love to win the game outright and not fight to take the lead. However, down one goal, or three, the Avs don’t panic but maintain control of their composure, knowing that they can come back if they keep their focus. The Avs are often called “The Comeback Kids,” however catchy this title is, I don’t think it accurately describes this team. Their comebacks are a result of the club’s maturity. A characteristic that head coach Jared Bednar has crafted. Since today is his 50th Birthday, it is only fitting that he gets a well-deserved shout-out for all he has done for this team.
He entered as head coach after a tumultuous resignation by Patrick Roy in 2016, and while his first season was the worst in franchise history, the Avs made the playoffs the following season. After the fiery Patrick Roy, who nearly shattered the glass in his opening game as head coach, Bednar may not seem like a charismatic coach. In post-game interviews, his monotone is hard to distinguish if the Avs won or lost. Still, his calmness is reflected in his player’s ability to focus on the play and not be driven by emotions that can often lead to pointless penalties. Under his leadership, the Avs have developed further than the previous season. While we may not have received the ultimate prize yet, all signs point to the possibility. His club is now the best in the league for the second year in a row, and maybe when he finally gets to hoist Lord Stanley above his head, we will get to see some real emotion on his face. Until then, I suspect he will remain our calm, cool, and collected head coach, ready to lead us to the Cup.
That’s f***ing right.