Sometimes dominance arrives in quick bursts that change the entire complexion of a hockey game.
Brock Nelson delivered exactly that kind of performance Sunday afternoon at Scotiabank Arena. His hat trick powered the Colorado Avalanche to a convincing 4-1 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs in a game that showcased the massive gap between the NHL’s best team and one struggling to find consistency.
The win improved Colorado’s remarkable record to 35-6-9 while Toronto fell to 24-19-9. Nelson’s offensive explosion, combined with strong defensive play and stellar goaltending, sent a clear message about the Avalanche’s championship credentials.
Let’s dive into how this game unfolded.
Nelson Strikes Twice in Quick Succession to Seize Control
The veteran center wasted no time putting Colorado ahead with a devastating opening burst.
Nelson opened the scoring at 6:19 of the first period with his 25th goal of the season. He lugged the puck into the Toronto zone on a 2-on-1 rush after receiving Cale Makar’s feed following a neutral zone turnover and fired a right circle shot past Joseph Woll.
Just over a minute later, Nelson struck again with his 26th goal. Artturi Lehkonen delivered a sneaky pass from behind Woll’s net, and Nelson banked a sharp-angled shot off the goaltender from the left side. The quick double gave Colorado a 2-0 lead before Toronto could establish any rhythm.
Colorado’s Historic Season Continues With Dominant Road Performance
The NHL-leading Avalanche added another impressive win to their remarkable campaign.
Colorado entered the game with a 35-6-9 record through 50 games, making them the fourth team in NHL history with six or fewer regulation losses at that point. Only the legendary 1979-80 Philadelphia Flyers, 1943-44 Montreal Canadiens, and 1975-76 Canadiens share this exclusive company with them now.
The Avalanche have been nearly unstoppable all season long. The last team with at least 77 points through 50 contests was the 2022-23 Boston Bruins, who went on to set the NHL record for wins in a season with 65. This balance makes Colorado the most complete team in hockey right now.
Jack Drury Extends the Lead With Clinical Second Period Finish
The depth scoring that defines championship teams showed up when Colorado needed insurance.
Drury made it 3-0 late in the second period with his goal that effectively put the game out of reach. The depth forward finished a strong team play that showcased the Avalanche’s ability to generate offense from throughout their lineup rather than relying solely on top stars.
The goal highlighted how the Avalanche worked the puck with precision and patience. Toronto’s defensive structure broke down repeatedly, allowing Colorado to generate quality chances through clean zone exits and controlled entries. The Maple Leafs never found answers for Colorado’s speed and skill throughout the contest.
Mackenzie Blackwood Delivers Strong Goaltending Performance
The Avalanche netminder made key saves to preserve the comfortable lead.
Blackwood stopped 32 of 33 shots in another solid outing that showcased his value to this team. He remained sharp throughout the afternoon, making crucial saves when Toronto pushed for momentum. His positioning and rebound control kept the Maple Leafs from building any sustained offensive pressure or threatening sequences.
The goaltender maintained his focus even during quiet stretches when Colorado controlled play. Blackwood was working on his third shutout of the season before Max Domi scored late. His composed performance gave Colorado the confidence to close out the victory professionally and continue their impressive campaign with another road win.
Toronto’s Struggles Deepen With Fourth Straight Homestand Loss
The Maple Leafs continue to slide without answers against elite competition.
Toronto has now lost the first four games of a five-game homestand. The Leafs are 1-4-2 in their last seven games after posting an 8-0-2 run earlier. Their recent slide has dropped them to 24-19-9 and raised serious questions about their ability to compete with the league’s elite teams.
The Maple Leafs generated some chances but never sustained pressure long enough to threaten Blackwood seriously. Max Domi scored a late power-play goal at 18:58 of the third period to spoil the shutout bid. The consolation marker did little to change the overall narrative of Toronto’s continued struggles during this stretch.
Nelson Completes Hat Trick With Empty Net Insurance Goal
The fifth career hat trick for Nelson came with a clinical finish in the final minutes.
Nelson found the empty net at 17:41 of the third period for his 27th goal of the season. The tally completed his hat trick and put the game completely out of reach. His three-goal performance marked his first hat trick since March 19, 2022, when he was still with the New York Islanders.
The center has been on an absolute tear in January. He’s racked up 11 goals and 15 points in 11 games, putting himself on track for his first career 40-goal campaign. This hot streak has turned Nelson into one of Colorado’s most dangerous offensive weapons alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar.
Colorado’s Depth and Balance Overwhelm Overmatched Opponent
The Avalanche showcased why they remain the Stanley Cup favorites.
Multiple Colorado players recorded points in the victory as the team demonstrated its offensive depth. The ability to generate scoring from throughout the lineup makes this Avalanche team extremely difficult to defend. Opponents cannot focus solely on shutting down one line because danger can come from anywhere.
The distribution of offense shows how difficult it is to defend against this team. Nelson’s eighth career season of at least 25+ goals puts him in elite company among American-born players. This depth gives Colorado multiple ways to win games and makes them extremely difficult to shut down over a seven-game playoff series.
TL;DR
- Brock Nelson scored a hat trick with goals at 6:19, 7:31, and 17:41 as Colorado defeated Toronto 4-1 on Sunday afternoon.
- The Avalanche improved to 35-6-9, becoming the fourth team in NHL history with six or fewer regulation losses through 50 games.
- Jack Drury added Colorado’s other goal while Mackenzie Blackwood stopped 32 of 33 shots in the victory.
- Nelson now has 27 goals this season and has scored 11 goals and 15 points in his last 11 games during a January hot streak.
- Toronto fell to 24-19-9 and has lost four straight games on their homestand after going 1-4-2 in their last seven overall.
- Max Domi scored Toronto’s only goal on a late power play at 18:58 that spoiled Blackwood’s shutout bid.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
