DENVER — Colorado's big-name players are making big-time plays.
The Avalanche were once again powered by their stars in a 5-1 win Sunday at Ball Arena.
The Game 4 victory gives Colorado a stranglehold in the opening-round playoff series against the Winnipeg Jets, up 3-1, now one win away from advancing to the next round of the NHL postseason.
"I've really liked all four games from our group," head coach Jared Bednar said. "Our compete level and intensity we're playing with has been great...We have to keep doing what we're doing, but the last one is always the toughest to get."
Valeri Nichushkin and Artturi Lehkonen continue to provide firepower for Colorado's offense. Both scored (Nichushkin three times) Sunday to give them at least one goal in each matchup. The duo become the third and fourth players, respectively, in franchise history to begin the playoffs with such a streak.
It was the first career hat trick for Nichushkin, who notched his first three-goal game in his 580th career NHL game.
"(Nichushkin) has been awesome for us. Obviously, he's a train driving that front end right now," star defenseman Cale Makar said.
"That does surprise me. I thought he did have (a hat trick) before this, so that's pretty cool it's his first one. When he's moving his legs, he's one of the best players in the league...He's a pretty special player to watch, that's for sure."
Makar had a show-stopping, unassisted score of his own in the Avs' three-goal second period that spanned the length of the ice from Colorado's net, past four Jets defenders, and over the right shoulder of Winnipeg goaltender Connor Hellebuyck.
Colorado has exploded for 22 goals so far this series, all but three (empty net) against Hellebuyck.
The Avalanche's offensive onslaught led Winnipeg coach Rick Bowness to pull Hellebuyck for backup Laurent Brossoit at the start of the third period.
Defensively, Colorado was anchored by Alexandar Georgiev, who has been impressive in net since giving up seven goals in Game 1. In the three following games, Georgiev has saved 75 of the last 80 shots he's faced.
"He's definitely been a difference-maker these last couple games," teammate Andrew Cogliano said of Georgiev. "You need good goaltending to go far...He needs to continue that, and we need to continue helping him."
The series next shifts back to Winnipeg for Game 5, where Colorado can close out the series with a win. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. (MT) Tuesday at Canada Life Centre.
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