CALGARY, Alberta (Interstat) — The Colorado Avalanche scored three unanswered goals to defeat the Calgary Flames 3-1 in a National Hockey League game Tuesday night at Scotiabank Saddledome. Blake Coleman gave Calgary a lead with a tip-in goal at 14:22 of the second period before Colorado responded with three straight. Artturi Lehkonen tied it later in the second, and Gabriel Landeskog and Nathan MacKinnon scored in the third period. Landeskog was named the game’s top star. Cale Makar, a Calgary native, assisted on all three Avalanche goals. MacKenzie Blackwood made 30 saves for Colorado in front of 17,650 fans. Dustin Wolf stopped 36 shots for the Flames. Colorado improved to 54-27. Calgary fell to 33-48.

CALGARY, Alberta (Interstat) — In a game that defied both the oddsmakers and the scoreboard for two periods, the Colorado Avalanche used a dominant third period to pull away from the Calgary Flames for a 3-1 victory on Tuesday night at Scotiabank Saddledome. A crowd of 17,650 watched the Avalanche, already playoff-bound with a record of 54-27, methodically wear down the struggling Flames, who fell to 33-48. The game was a stark contrast to the pregame projections, which heavily favored Colorado but anticipated a higher-scoring affair. The total of four goals landed well under the over/under line of 6.5. For over 40 minutes, the contest was a goaltending duel and a testament to defensive structure. Calgary’s Dustin Wolf, the Gilroy, California, native, was spectacular, turning aside 36 of 38 shots to keep his team in contention. At the other end, Colorado’s Mackenzie Blackwood of Thunder Bay, Ontario, was nearly as sharp, making 30 saves on 31 shots. The deadlock was finally broken late in the second period. With the Avalanche applying sustained pressure, defenseman Cale Makar, a Calgary native, orchestrated the opening goal. He fed the puck to fellow defenseman Sam Malinski at the point, whose shot was deftly tipped past Wolf by Artturi Lehkonen at the 22:25 mark. The goal was Lehkonen’s 21st of the season, with assists to Makar and Malinski. Calgary responded just over two minutes later to knot the game before the intermission. On a determined shift in the Colorado zone, veteran Mikael Backlund found Blake Coleman in front, and the Plano, Texas, native redirected the puck behind Blackwood for his 20th goal at 14:22 of the second. The tie game was short-lived. Colorado reclaimed control for good early in the third period. On a power play resulting from a too-many-men penalty against Calgary, the Avalanche’s top unit went to work. Makar, who finished with three assists, moved the puck to Brett Kulak at the left point. Kulak’s shot was perfectly tipped in front by captain Gabriel Landeskog at the 5:07 mark, restoring Colorado’s lead with his 14th goal of the season. The Avalanche then locked the game down, limiting Calgary’s chances and sealing the victory with an empty-net goal in the final minutes. Nathan MacKinnon, the star center from Halifax, Nova Scotia, fired the puck the length of the ice into the vacant net for his 53rd goal at 17:43, with Makar earning his third helper of the night and Martin Necas picking up the secondary assist. Landeskog was named the game’s top star, contributing the game-winning goal and five shots on net. His line, centered by MacKinnon, was a constant threat. Makar’s three-point night from the blue line was pivotal, showcasing the dynamic play that makes him a perennial Norris Trophy contender. For Calgary, Coleman’s goal was a bright spot on a night where offensive chances were scarce. The Flames’ penalty kill was tested six times and held firm, but their own power play went 0-for-2 and failed to generate significant momentum. The game continued a recent trend of Avalanche dominance in the season series. Colorado has now won three straight against Calgary, including a 3-1 victory in Denver just five days prior. The Avalanche have taken seven of a possible eight points in their last four games as they tune up for the postseason. Colorado concludes its regular season at home against the Seattle Kraken on Thursday. Calgary, playing out the string, will host the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday in its season finale. The victory was a textbook road win for a championship-caliber team: weathering an early push, breaking through against a hot goaltender, and closing out the game with authority. While the score was lower than expected, the Avalanche’s control of the game’s flow and their ability to capitalize on key moments proved the difference against a Flames squad that battled hard but ultimately lacked the firepower to keep pace.

Avalanche, Flames Set for Season Series Finale in Calgary CALGARY, Alberta (Interstat) — The Colorado Avalanche conclude a regular season series they have dominated when they visit the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome on Tuesday night. The Avalanche (52-27-0) have won both meetings this season by a combined score of 12-3, including a 3-1 victory in Denver on April 9. Colorado enters the finale of a three-game road trip following a 3-2 overtime loss to Vegas on Saturday. Defenseman Nick Blankenburg scored a goal in that defeat, continuing his active play with a goal, an assist, and six hits over his last four games. The Flames (33-47-0), long eliminated from playoff contention, are playing for pride and momentum heading into the offseason. They snapped a three-game skid with a 4-1 win over Utah on Sunday. Defenseman Brayden Pachal was instrumental in that victory, posting a career-high three points (one goal, two assists). He will be a key physical presence against a Colorado team that has handled Calgary easily this season. Despite the lopsided recent history and a significant disparity in the standings, National Statistical’s game simulator projects a close 3-2 Flames victory. However, the same outlet’s ELO rating system gives Colorado a 70.5% probability to win. The Avalanche have been inconsistent down the stretch, going 5-4-1 in their last 10 games but remaining one of the league’s elite teams. The Flames are 4-5-1 in their last 10 and will look to build on the positive performance against Utah. Colorado begins a brief homestand against Seattle on Thursday. Calgary opens a final two-game homestand against Los Angeles the same night. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. MDT.