Manson scores in overtime to help Avalanche beat Blues in Game 1

Denver- Josh Manson The player was just trying to hold his ground near the blue line, flying towards him.

Not a winning goal, he was so open, but a group of teammates were on his way.

Manson scored his first career playoff goal at 8:02 in overtime, and Darcy Kaempfer made 23 saves when he returned to the net from an eye injury. Colorado Avalanche beat St. Louis Bruce 3-2 on Tuesday night in Game 1 of their second round series.

“I was just watching because so many people came to me at speed,” Manson said of the group’s hugs. “It feels good to get it (win) on your team.”

The play was set up by captain Gabriel Landescog. Gabriel Landescog went down and served his pack on a plate in Manson. From there, the defense sent a liner to the sea of ​​players who invaded over their shoulders. Jordan Binnington..

Valerie Nichushkin and Samuel Girard also scored points for the Avalanche team, who had been laid off for a week after sweeping Nashville. It also appeared early on, before they found their steps. They outperformed the blues by 54-25, including 13-0 in OT. Avalanche also hit three posts and two crossbars.

“We were a really resilient group,” said Landeskog, who had two assists. “We emphasized just keep playing, just keep playing, keep doing what we were doing, create a lot of things, and it’s only a matter of time. We hem them. Can be raised and (Manson) put it on the top shelf. “

Ryan O’Reilly scored a goal in the first period, and Jordan Kirou scored behind St. Louis. Binnington brought the blues closer one after another with vast saves. According to the NHL Stats, he stopped 51 shots to become the fourth goalkeeper in blues history, recording more than 50 saves in postseason games.

“He played incredibly and gave us a chance to win,” said Bruce defense Colton Parayko. “They have a good team. They are fast. We have a good team. We have been a good team all year round. I think there are lots of close matches.”

Game 2 is Thursday.

Kaempfer suffered a horrific eye accident in Game 3 of the Predator’s series when a stick blade passed through a mask and caught around his eyelids. It took a few days for the swelling to subside.

“I thought he was good,” said Avalanche coach Jared Bednar. “He grew up when he needed it.”

Kirou scored in power play and drew the match with 3:14 remaining. Bruce is powerful in power play, playing off 27-9 during the playoffs.

Girard bet Colorado a 2-1 lead in the middle of the second period on a shot that passed through Binnington’s pad. Defenseman Eric Johnson scored almost before on a wide open net, but couldn’t speed up with his shot. Binnington reached out with his gloves while on the ground to stop the rolling pack.

O’Reilly took advantage of Kale McCarr’s mistake to score early in the first period. O’Reilly has scored goals in five playoff games, consistent with the longest playoff goal streak in Bruce history. According to the NHL Stats, he tied the mark held by Phil Roberto (1972) and Joe Mullen (1982).

The avalanche didn’t look particularly sharp in the opening 20 minutes. Arturi Rekonen hit the post and Nazem Kadri and Mikko Lantanen fired from the crossbar.

However, Landescog, who is about to stop knee surgery later in the season, refused to agree with the rusty argument.

“Honestly, we played a pretty good game,” Randeskog said.

Bruce streak

In a streak dating back to Game 4 of the 2001 Conference Finals, he defeated Bruce eight times in a row in the playoffs. Avalanche swept St. Louis in the playoffs last season.

Don’t play what you like

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said he did not fill in the playoff brackets.

“If it turns out to be true, people will say bad things or ask questions that you don’t need to ask,” said Betman, who attended the match on Tuesday. “I’m probably not a very good seeer.”

Ringering Animo City?

Bruce’s defense Justin Fork hit his head from Kadori in Game 2 last season and didn’t come back in the Colorado-dominated series. Kadori missed the last two games against Bruce and all six games against Vegas due to the expulsion of Colorado, and was suspended for eight games due to a hit.

Asked if things were settled, Fork replied, “We are here to play hockey and the series. That is our focus.”

Lost but not forgotten

There are still fans who appear in O’Reilly’s avalanche sweater. O’Reilly won his 33rd overall victory in Colorado in 2009, scoring 90 goals in 427 career games with Avalanche.

“We had a great time here,” O’Reilly said. “It’s always great to see people appreciate it.”