Avalanche devastates Utah, completes road trip sweep, returns to .500 after rocky start

SALT LAKE CITY — Maybe it won't matter who else is missing for the Colorado Avalanche as long as Jared Bednar can start his lineup card with Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar and Mikko Rantanen.

The Avs are officially underway, defeating the Utah Hockey Club with a 5-1 victory in their first game at the Delta Center. This road trip was a three-game win, making it their fourth straight win.

Colorado is still missing four key forwards who count more than $20 million against the salary cap. The Avs added another key player to the roster Thursday night, but also got back to .500 after losing the first four games of the season.

“I think we have a stronger team than people think,” said Avs forward Casey Mittelstadt, who finished the game with a goal and two assists. “The boys have improved throughout the year, especially on this road trip. We certainly have some injuries, but it’s an opportunity for the next player.”

The power play continues to divide opponents regardless of who joins the top unit. And goalkeeper Justus Annunen got off to a strong start for the third time in a row, even if the defensive performance in front of him was overwhelming at times.

Ross Colton continued his stellar start to the season, leading the Avs to first place. Colorado had a long 5-on-3 game that produced nothing special, but near the end of the second penalty, Rantanen missed a one-time shot from Colton at 9:54 of the opening period.

Colton now has seven goals in eight games to start the season. Four goals were scored due to superior numbers, six of the seven were one-off goals. He left that game in the second period with an upper-body injury and did not return. Bednar said Colton suffered a blow to the hand and will be reevaluated when the club returns to Denver.

Makar extended his lead atop the NHL scoring race with a goal with 1:40 left in the opening period. A quick, short pass from Rantanen had Makar rushing down the right wing, and his wrist shot beat Utah goalie Karel Vejmelka for his third goal and 15th point.

The Avs second line provided the third score with a strong shift in the offensive zone. Nikolai Kovlaneko made nice plays, including a give-and-go with Sam Malinski. The defender drove around the net for the final attempt, and Mittelstadt was there to clear the rebound at 14:25 of the second minute.

“I really liked those guys,” Bednar said of the second line. “I thought (O'Connor) really led the way with the work ethic aspect. Then (Mittelstadt) had a great evening. He was really creative, made a lot of plays and defended hard. (Kovalenko) also got involved. It might have been the best and most complete game of its kind.”

After Colton left the game, his replacement at the top and first power play unit, rookie Ivan Ivan, scored his first NHL goal, giving him a four-goal lead. Like Colton had done several times, Ivan found a soft spot in the middle of the ice for Colorado on a power play, and MacKinnon found him for a one-timer.

“I don’t really remember much of that moment, but yeah, that feels great,” Ivan said. “The last few weeks have been pretty, pretty great.”

Lawson Crouse ended Annunen's shutout push when he separated two Avalanche defenders and scored with 4:32 left in the third period. Joel Kiviranta responded 39 seconds later with his fourth goal for Colorado in the last three games. Kiviranta scored three goals for the Avs last season.

Makar leads the NHL with 15 points. MacKinnon and Rantanen are part of a group of players tied for second place with 13 players. Colton and Mittelstadt were the two players who helped the most, but even after the former left that game, other Avs found a way to contribute.