The Colorado Avalanche continue to struggle in overtime, suffering their fourth consecutive defeat after a close match against the New Jersey Devils on Sunday. The showdown at Prudential Center ended with a 4‑3 victory for New Jersey, thanks to a game-winning goal from Jack Hughes, marking the Avalanche’s eighth overtime loss this season.
Despite rallying from behind to level the score with just over six minutes remaining, Colorado was unable to maintain momentum. Valeri Nichushkin, Nathan MacKinnon, and Brock Nelson each contributed a goal, while Trent Miner made 20 saves in his first start of the season.
The Devils, on the other hand, capitalized on their early lead, scoring twice in the first 10 minutes of the game. Arseny Gritsyuk opened the scoring with a sharp shot, followed by Hughes finding the net soon after. Colorado managed to respond with goals from Nichushkin and MacKinnon to keep the game competitive.
As the second period progressed, a miscommunication during a line change allowed Connor Brown to score, putting New Jersey ahead 3‑2. Although the Avalanche outshot the Devils 11‑3 in the second period, they were unable to convert opportunities into goals, demonstrating a concerning trend in their performance.
The third period saw the Avalanche tie the game once more when Nelson found the back of the net with just over six minutes left. However, the team’s inability to capitalize on scoring chances in the overtime period ultimately led to their downfall as Hughes secured the win for the Devils.
With their current record at 5‑1‑4, the Avalanche face the challenge of addressing their struggles, particularly in preventing turnovers and improving their power play. This trend of playing from behind has been evident throughout their games this season, and adjustments will be crucial if they hope to turn their fortunes around.
Looking ahead, the Avalanche will seek to redeem themselves this Tuesday at Ball Arena when they face the Devils again. With a renewed focus on execution and defensive stability, Colorado hopes to break their losing streak and restore confidence within the team. A push for victory could provide a much-needed turnaround as the season progresses.