LAS VEGAS — Formula 1 is doing away with Drag Reduction System, an option for drivers to provide the car more power and overtake opponents at certain points on a track, for next season.
The Colorado Avalanche reminded everyone Saturday night that its DRS button still works just fine.
Colorado stormed back from three separate deficits against the Vegas Golden Knights, erasing leads of 2-0, 4-2 and 5-4, to win in a shootout. The third period and overtime were a particularly overwhelming performance, which included three points from Nathan MacKinnon and a 6-on-5 goal from Artturi Lehkonen to force the extra session.
“I just think we were playing well,” MacKinnon said. “We thought we were outplaying them. Usually, when you’re down, both teams know who should be up. We just kept going and grinded that one out.”
The Avs have only trailed by two-plus goals in a game five times this season. They have erased that advantage in three of the games — technically four times in six such instances because Colorado did it twice against Vegas.
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This was the first time the Avs have won a game this season after trailing by two-plus goals, but they are now 1-2-2 when it happens.
Any team in the NHL would be happy with 0.8 points per game after trailing by two-plus goals, but this is not any team, so it hasn't faced that situation very often. Colorado erased a two-goal deficit in the first period at New Jersey.
This was only the third time the Avs have trailed by two goals at the second intermission (they were down three on Long Island). For the second time, they forced overtime.
"We just kind of stuck with it," Avs defenseman Sam Malinski, who had a career-high three points, said. "We didn't really change anything. Being down two goals, we know we could come back from that."
The first big comeback of the season was Oct. 23 against Carolina, when they clawed back from 4-1 down with a goal in the second and two in the third. Saturday night featured full-on push mode from the Avs in the final period of regulation.
Colorado has been an explosive offensive team for years, but the defensive prowess this season has meant the Avs haven't needed a chaotic offensive frenzy very often. The third period and overtime were very much that for the visitors at T-Mobile Arena.
The numbers are staggering.
During the third period and overtime, the Avalanche had a 45-9 advantage in shot attempts at even strength. The Avs had a 17-3 advantage in shots on goal. They produced 83.1% of the expected goals, according to Natural Stat Trick -- including 100 percent in overtime.
Artturi Lehkonen scored with 1:57 left in regulation, a 6v5 goal to make it a 5-5 game. In the next 6:57 of even-strength play (5-on-5, then 3-on-3) the Avs shot the puck 14 times. Vegas shot it zero times.
"You don't want to be in those situations, but I think with our star power when teams start playing with leads and dumping pucks and giving us possession more, it's going to hurt eventually," Avs goalie Scott Wedgewood said. "We found a way to do it tonight.
"Not going to be the case every time ... I'm proud of the group. Two points is two points."
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Malinski and Samuel Girard also had a huge night. It's bad enough for opponents to try and deal with the offense that Cale Makar and Devon Toews help create, but "the Sams" combined for five points.
When Malinski was on the ice at 5-on-5, Colorado had a 36-6 advantage in shot attempts in the game, and it was even more pronounced in the third period. It was 32-7 when Girard was out there.
"It's contributions from everybody, but you've got to find a rhythm and be able to sustain it a little," Avs coach Jared Bednar said. "We made some big plays at big, key moments of the game."
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