NEW YORK — Mikko Rantanen scored the tiebreaking goal in the third period and had three assists as the Colorado Avalanche beat the New York Islanders 7-4 on Tuesday night for their NHL-record 15th straight road win.
In Colorado’s sixth consecutive win of the season, Ryan Johansen found the back of the net twice, while Cale Makar contributed with a goal and an assist. Bowen Byram, Nathan MacKinnon, and Ross Colton also added goals to secure the victory. Valeri Nichushkin provided two assists, and Alexandar Georgiev made 27 saves to maintain his perfect 6-0-0 record this season.
The Avalanche have broken a record with their winning streak, surpassing the previous mark set by Buffalo during the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons. Their streak, which includes the last 11 road games of the previous season, now stands at 15 consecutive wins. Additionally, the team has matched the best start (6-0-0) since moving to Colorado in 1995-96, falling just one win behind the 1985-86 Quebec Nordiques for the franchise’s all-time best start.
In a disappointing third consecutive loss (0-2-1) for the Islanders, Cal Clutterbuck showcased his skills with a goal and an assist. Joining him on the scoresheet were Kyle Palmieri and Simon Holmstron, who also managed to find the back of the net. Noah Dobson and Jean-Gabriel Pageau contributed to the team’s efforts by each providing two assists. Ilya Sorokin stood tall in the net, making an impressive 34 saves.
At 4:40 in the third period, Lee demonstrated great determination as he equalized the score to 4-4. Despite being knocked down by Johansen and losing possession of the puck in the offensive zone, the Islanders’ captain swiftly rose to his feet, snatched the puck back from Johansen, skillfully maneuvered towards the high slot, and unleashed a powerful shot past Georgiev. This goal marked Lee’s first of the season.
With 7:47 left on the clock, Rantanen secured the Avalanche’s fourth lead of the evening by outplaying Sorokin from the right circle, claiming his team-leading fifth goal of the season.
With only one minute remaining, Johansen scored an empty-net goal. Shortly after, with just 31 seconds left on the clock, Colton was awarded another goal as Brock Nelson’s backward pass off a faceoff traveled the full length of the ice and landed in the unguarded net.
After falling behind 2-1 in the first 20 minutes, the Islanders managed to equalize early in the second period. Palmieri received a pass from Mathew Barzal near the net, skated towards the center in front of Georgiev, and swiftly fired a shot past the goalie for his second goal at 2:56. This marked the Islanders’ second successful goal out of 12 power plays in the current season.
At 4:05, Holmstrom received a pass from Clutterbuck in the left circle and skillfully shot past Georgiev, giving the Islanders the lead. This marked his first goal of the game.
In the final minute of the period, the Avalanche swiftly gained the lead by scoring two goals within just 11 seconds. Byram initiated the action by launching a powerful shot from a strategic position between the circles, navigating through a crowded area, with only 42 seconds left on the clock. Following that, MacKinnon solidified Colorado’s advantage by skillfully outmaneuvering Sorokin from the left circle to find the back of the net.
In the opening period, the Avalanche dominated the Islanders with a shot count of 17-6. They managed to take the lead just 21 seconds into their first power play of the night, when Lee was penalized for interference. Rantanen skillfully passed the puck across the ice to Johansen, who swiftly released a powerful shot from the left circle. The puck sailed past Sorokin and found the back of the net, giving Johansen his third goal of the season at 5:19 in the first period.
Standing just outside the crease, Clutterbuck deflected Dobson’s shot from the center point past Georgiev for his first goal of the season, equalizing the game for the Islanders just after the midpoint of the period.
With 7:08 remaining in the first period, Makar skillfully maneuvered into the left circle and effortlessly scored a backhander past Sorokin, securing his third goal and putting the Avalanche back in the lead.
STREAKS
Nichushkin’s point streak reached five games with one goal and five assists. Rantanen extended his point streak to four games with three goals and five assists. Dobson has a four-game point streak, contributing one goal and four assists.
UP NEXT
Avalanche: At Pittsburgh on Thursday night in the second of a three-game trip.
Islanders: Host Ottawa on Thursday night to wrap up a two-game homestand.
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