DENVER — Mikko Rantanen did the honors on a power play he drew in overtime, scoring 2:07 into the extra period to send his teammates spilling over the boards and secure the Colorado Avalanche a 3-2 win over the Golden Knights.
Colorado’s sixth straight win to start the postseason gave it a 2-0 second-round series lead as the teams travel to Vegas.
Rantanen had the stick taken out of his hands 44 seconds into overtime by Reilly Smith. Vegas coach Peter DeBoer called the slashing call “soft” and accused the Avalanche of embellishment. Rantanen said it was a widely penalized action.
“I’m a pretty strong guy too so I can hold onto my stick, but that was a pretty hard slash,” he said.
Nathan MacKinnon hit the goal post during the power play before sending a cross-ice pass to Rantanen. Rantanen drifted forward and put a shot over a stick and Marc-Andre Fleury’s shoulder.
Colorado Avalanche right wing Joonas Donskoi (72) and left wing Gabriel Landeskog (92) celebrate as right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) scores the winning goal in overtime of game two in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at Ball Arena in Denver. The Avs won 3-2. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Vegas Golden Knights center Patrick Brown (38) and Colorado Avalanche defenseman Ryan Graves (27) battle for the puck during the first period of game two in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at Ball Arena in Denver. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Colorado Avalanche goaltender Philipp Grubauer (31) makes a save as center Alex Newhook (18) defends against Vegas Golden Knights center Jonathan Marchessault (81) during the first period of game two in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at Ball Arena in Denver. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Vegas Golden Knights left wing Max Pacioretty (67) is called for holding against Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8)during the first period of game two in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at Ball Arena in Denver. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Vegas Golden Knights left wing Max Pacioretty (67) is called for holding against Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8) during the first period of game two in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at Ball Arena in Denver. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) and Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Alec Martinez (23) crash into the boards during the second period of game two in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at Ball Arena in Denver. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Colorado Avalanche goaltender Philipp Grubauer (31) warms up before game two in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at Ball Arena in Denver. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Colorado Avalanche left wing Brandon Saad (20) moves the puck against Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore (27) and Vegas Golden Knights center Patrick Brown (38) during the second period of game two in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at Ball Arena in Denver. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) skates behind the Vegas Golden Knights goal as Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Alec Martinez (23) defend during the second period of game two in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at Ball Arena in Denver. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Colorado Avalanche left wing Brandon Saad (20) battles Vegas Golden Knights right wing Reilly Smith (19) against the boards during the second period of game two in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at Ball Arena in Denver. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Colorado Avalanche celebrate afterColorado Avalanche right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) scored the winning goal in overtime of game two in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at Ball Arena in Denver. The Avs won 3-2. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Colorado Avalanche goaltender Philipp Grubauer (31) skate onto the ice for the start of the first period of game two in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at Ball Arena in Denver. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Colorado Avalanche goaltender Philipp Grubauer (31) is introduced before the start of game two against Vegas Golden Knights in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at Ball Arena in Denver. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard (49) battles Vegas Golden Knights left wing William Carrier (28) for the puck during the first period of game two in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at Ball Arena in Denver. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Colorado Avalanche left wing Brandon Saad (20) celebrates with the bench after scoring during the first period of game two against Vegas Golden Knights in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at Ball Arena in Denver. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Patrik Nemeth (24) passes the puck as Vegas Golden Knights right wing Keegan Kolesar (55) defends during the first period of game two in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at Ball Arena in Denver. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Colorado Avalanche goaltender Philipp Grubauer (31) skates back to his goal after a timeout during the first period of game two against the Vegas Golden Knights in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at Ball Arena in Denver. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Colorado Avalanche goaltender Philipp Grubauer (31) defends the Avs goal during the first period of game two against the Vegas Golden Knights in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at Ball Arena in Denver. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8) battles Vegas Golden Knights left wing Max Pacioretty (67) behind the Colorado Avalanche goal during the first period of game two in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at Ball Arena in Denver. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Colorado Avalanche center Tyson Jost (17) skates against Vegas Golden Knights center William Karlsson (71) during the second period of game two in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at Ball Arena in Denver. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Colorado Avalanche right wing Joonas Donskoi (72) and left wing Andre Burakovsky (95) talk thing over during a break in the action in the second period of game two in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at Ball Arena in Denver. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Colorado Avalanche right wing Valeri Nichushkin (13) take a backhand shot on goal during the second period of game two against the Vegas Golden Knights in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at Ball Arena in Denver. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (29) takes a break during a timeout in the second period of game two in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at Ball Arena in Denver. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Colorado Avalanche right wing Joonas Donskoi (72) stands in front of the Golden Knights goal as Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (29) defends during the second period of game two in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at Ball Arena in Denver. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) skates down the ice as Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore (27) defends during the second period of game two in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at Ball Arena in Denver. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (29) defends his goal during the second period of game two against the Colorado Avalanche in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at Ball Arena in Denver. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Colorado Avalanche right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) skates behind the Vegas Golden Knights goal as Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Alec Martinez (23) defends during the second period of game two in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at Ball Arena in Denver. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard (49) battles Vegas Golden Knights right wing Reilly Smith (19) at the boards during the third period of game two in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at Ball Arena in Denver. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (29) makes a save against Colorado Avalanche in overtime of game two in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at Ball Arena in Denver. The Avs won 3-2. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Colorado Avalanche goaltender Philipp Grubauer (31) clears the puck during warm ups before game two of the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Vegas Golden Knights Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at Ball Arena in Denver. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore (27) ad Colorado Avalanche left wing J.T. Compher (37) crash to the ice during the second period of game two in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at Ball Arena in Denver. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (29) guards the goal during the second period of game two in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at Ball Arena in Denver. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) take as shot against the Vegas Golden Knights during the second period of game two in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at Ball Arena in Denver. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard (49) passes during the third period of game two against the Vegas Golden Knights in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at Ball Arena in Denver. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Colorado Avalanche goaltender Philipp Grubauer (31) grabs a drink during a timeout in the third period of game two in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at Ball Arena in Denver. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8) skates down the ice ahead of Vegas Golden Knights left wing Max Pacioretty (67) during the third period of game two in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at Ball Arena in Denver. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Ryan Graves (27) and Vegas Golden Knights right wing Dylan Sikura (15) crash into the boards during the third period of game two in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at Ball Arena in Denver. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Fans cheer for the Colorado Avalanche In overtime of game two in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at Ball Arena in Denver. The Avs won 3-2. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Fans cheer for the Avalanche In overtime of game two in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at Ball Arena in Denver. The Avs won 3-2. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Rantanen, the team’s top scorer during the regular season, has the fewest goals and points of the top line during the playoffs. He scored perhaps the most important one to date.
Philipp Grubauer made 38 saves through regulation, which was tough sledding for Colorado.
“He was basically the reason why we got to OT and then it’s good our special teams stepped up there,” Rantanen said.
The top line put five goals on the board in Game 1 but was less visible Wednesday. The second line of Brandon Saad, Tyson Jost and Valeri Nichushkin stepped up offensively with Samuel Girard as their enabler.
Just 3:39 into the first period, Girard found Saad at center ice. Saad went in with the Vegas defense on his heels and scored his fifth in five games five-hole. Vegas’ Alec Martinez canceled it out with a power-play one-timer before the halfway mark.
As a power play wound down, Girard found Jost in the slot. Jost turned and fired off the goal post and in to make it 2-1.
Nichushkin was the only member of that line who didn’t score in regulation and it wasn’t for lack of trying. He was often in good position and lobbed three shots on net.
“I was a little bit hot and cold with that line, but I was the same way with the rest of our team,” coach Jared Bednar said. “We had a good first period and obviously the last 40 minutes weren’t exactly the way we would have drawn them up.
“I think Gruby steals us that one and we’ve got to regroup and take a look at the tape and make some adjustments in areas we need to get better at going into Vegas.”
Smith tied the game at 2, scoring the only goal of the second period despite a 16-6 Vegas advantage in shots.
The third period was more of the same early with the Golden Knights peppering Grubauer with six shots before the Avalanche managed one 5:39 in.
“Got a little bit more than usual, but won’t complain,” Grubauer said.
Colorado got its best chance of the period when MacKinnon traced the Vegas crease with his skates. Fleury (22 saves) made a sprawling stop. The Avalanche penalty kill protected the tie with under four minutes left in regulation.
“Even though we didn’t play our best, it’s a big win to hold on and close it out on the power play,” Saad said.
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