Another period of electric hockey, but scoring remains elusive as both goaltenders have kept their respective teams in the game.
Colorado goalie Craig Anderson has been nothing short of incredible in his first game back after returning from injury. Though he has only played a total of six periods of hockey in the past five weeks, Anderson has turned aside shot after shot — including robbing Carolina forward Erik Cole with a kick save midway through the second period.
He has been matched, and surpassed, by Carolina’s Cam Ward. Ward faced three straight power plays by Colorado and emerged unscathed. Multiple breakaways by Daniel Winnik and Greg Mauldin have yet to find the net, as Ward has been aggressive in attacking advancing forwards and still maintaining his usual great positioning between the pipes.
Shots are close, as Colorado holds a 24-22 margin going into the third period. Carolina actually outshot the Avalanche in the second period, despite having to kill off six straight penalty minutes.
Carolina has used their size and physicality to neutralize the obvious Colorado speed advantage. As a result, this game has been fast-paced, with multiple odd-man advantages for both sides. Yet, the goalies have refused to budge, keeping the game scoreless.