[NHL] Colorado Falls in Overtime…
(Denver = Wongeol Jeong) Colorado and Dallas have broken the tie.
On the 23rd local time, the third game of the 2024-25 NHL Playoffs First Round took place at Colorado’s home arena, Ball Arena. With Colorado having won Game 1 and Dallas taking Game 2, the crucial third game arrived to break the 1-1 deadlock.
Anticipation was high among home fans as Gabriel Landeskog, who had been sidelined due to injury, was expected to return.
Landeskog had been off the ice since 2022 due to a knee injury. His participation in team practices on Monday and again on the morning of the game raised hopes that he would appear in Game 3 against Dallas.
Colorado’s starting offensive lineup for the night featured MacKinnon, Lehkonen, and Necas.
On defense, Toews, Makar, and Girard anchored the back line to fend off Dallas.
The first goal of the game was scored by the resilient Nichushkin.
Nichushkin, Girard, and Malinski displayed dazzling skating near the Dallas net. Receiving a pass from Girard, Nichushkin made a wide turn around the left side of the Dallas goal, faked out goaltender Oettinger, and gently slipped the puck into the net. Though it appeared to be an easy goal, it symbolized Nichushkin’s long and arduous journey back from adversity. The crowd’s cheers shook Ball Arena.
MacKinnon and Necas tirelessly pushed the offense with cycle plays throughout the first period, but Dallas’s net defense remained firm.
Overall, Dallas had a slight edge in the first period. They recorded 13 shots on goal, more than double Colorado’s 5. However, Colorado led significantly in blocked shots, tallying 8 compared to Dallas’s 2.
Throughout the game, Toews skillfully balanced offense and defense to orchestrate Colorado’s play.
Midway through the second period, a scary moment unfolded when Dallas defenseman Bichsel took a puck to a sensitive area and collapsed onto the ice. Fortunately, Bichsel managed to shake it off and returned to play.
Colorado’s goalie, Blackwood, repeatedly saved his team with quick reflexes.
Particularly in the middle of the second period, Blackwood made a perfect glove save on a shot from Bichsel, thrilling the home crowd.
As always, MacKinnon and Makar showcased their elite skills. MacKinnon created a one-on-one opportunity with the goalie through his dribbling and unleashed a shot, but it was blocked. Nonetheless, the attempt sent a chill down the spines of Dallas fans.
The game was ultimately decided in overtime.
In the third period, Colorado, while on a penalty kill, allowed a tying goal to Benn. Then, in overtime, Marchment broke through on the right side. He passed the puck to Seguin, who was shadowing behind him. Seguin lifted the puck into the left side of the net past Blackwood, sealing the win for Dallas.
With Seguin’s goal, the Stars secured victory in Game 3 of the playoffs.
Colorado and Dallas are set to play Game 4 of the First Round at Ball Arena on the 26th.
