Artturi Lehkonen makes Avalanche franchise history with OT game-winner
Only one other player has ever netted a game-winner in the extra minutes with less than a second remaining on the clock.
Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports - Artturi Lehkonen makes Avalanche franchise history with OT game-winnerArtturi Lehkonen made Avalanche/Nordiques franchise history when he scored an overtime game-winning goal with less than a second left in the extra frame. Only one other franchise player accomplished such a feat — Matt Duchene on March 10, 2013.
Nathan MacKinnon beat Oilers forward Evan Bouchard to the puck in the corner, and found Lehkonen as he skated right down the lane in front of the net. The 28-year-old elite center made a perfect pass to Lehkonen and he whipped it past Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner with less than a second left on the clock.
"Nate (MacKinnon) raced the puck in the corner and I was trying to call for it and he found me with a great pass — I didn't even see it go in honestly," Lehkonen told Altitude Sports' Katie Gaus after the win.
Newcomer defenseman Sean Walker scored the only two regulation goals — at 9:21 in the second frame and 5:20 in the third. It was the young blue liner's first multi-point game of his career with three shots on goal in the 18:44 he played.
"I think it was just a team win — fast transition on both sides of the puck. Led to some odd man rushes and some good offense," Walker told media after the game.
MacKinnon's assist on Lehkonen's goal extended his scoring streak to 15 games, which is his second of that number this season. Mikko Rantanen was held off the scoresheet, which ended his 11-game scoring streak.
Alexandar Georgiev played outstanding with 32 saves in what was most likely a playoff preview for the two teams. Colorado outshot Edmonton in the second and third periods and were only behind by one shot in the overtime frame. Both teams were disciplined with only two infractions handed to the Avs and three to the Oilers.
It was the Avalanche's 22nd comeback win of the season, which is the most of any NHL team this season.
The Avalanche tied the Dallas Stars for the lead in the Central Division, but hold the edge in points percentage (.669). They finish their four-game road trip against the division's No. 6 St. Louis Blues on Tuesday.