In an NHL game full of drama, the Calgary Flames staged an impressive third-period comeback, securing a 3-2 shootout victory over the Colorado Avalanche. Despite the loss, Nathan MacKinnon extended his remarkable home point streak to 25 games, prompting Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar to weigh in on his star forward’s performance. Meanwhile, Ryan Lomberg and Adam Klapka scored just 32 seconds apart, shifting the momentum, while Dan Vladar made 28 key saves, helping the Flames snap a two-game skid and improve to a 5-1-1 record in their last seven games.
The win propelled Calgary into the Western Conference wild-card race, moving them within five points of the St. Louis Blues with two games in hand—a potential advantage in the playoff battle. On the other side, Cale Makar and Logan O’Connor scored for Colorado, while Nathan MacKinnon extended his home-point streak to 25 games.
The defeat left Colorado Avalanche eight points behind the Dallas Stars, who secured a victory over the Seattle Kraken, in the fight for second place in the Central Division.
“I didn’t think we played very well tonight. I didn’t love our effort at times,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said, according to NHL.com. “I didn’t like the defending detail at times during the game, and then we had trouble putting the puck in the net a little bit again tonight. So, not real pleased with the way we played tonight.”
Bednar on MacKinnon’s Performance
MacKinnon, who registered an assist, extended his home-point streak to 25 games, tallying 42 points (16 goals, 26 assists) over that span. Avalanche head coachBednar acknowledged MacKinnon’s impact but was critical of his team’s overall performance.
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“He finds a way to chip in and help create offensively,” Bednar said. “I didn’t think they had a great night tonight … but I think that’s what great players do. They find a way to chip away, and when they get opportunities, they tend to finish them off. And he’s done that consistently.”
What’s next for the Avalanche and MacKinnon?
The Flames’ dramatic comeback provides a crucial boost to their playoff hopes, while MacKinnon’s historic streak, despite the loss, further solidifies his status as one of the league’s elite players. However, Bednar’s postgame criticism highlights the Avalanche’s need for sharper execution as they approach the final stretch of the regular NHL season.
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