Avalanche Beat Canucks 5-4 with Brindley’s Overtime Winner

The Colorado Avalanche celebrated a thrilling 5-4 overtime win against the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday night. The game, played in Vancouver, was full of energy and constant action. Gavin Brindley became the hero of the night when he scored just 1 minute and 8 seconds into overtime, giving the Avalanche their first win in six games that went beyond regulation. It was a well-deserved victory after a tightly fought contest.

In the extra period, Gavin Brindley carried the puck deep into Vancouver’s zone and fired a shot at goaltender Kevin Lankinen. The puck bounced loose, and Brindley quickly followed up to tap it between Lankinen’s legs for the game-winning goal. The moment sent Colorado players rushing to celebrate on the ice. The goal was Brindley’s third of the season and came at a crucial time, helping the team continue their strong recent form.

Once again, Nathan MacKinnon was at the center of Colorado’s offense. The star forward scored two goals and added three assists in an outstanding performance. It was the second straight night he collected at least four points, showing his consistency and leadership. With these points, MacKinnon now leads the entire NHL with 29 points and 14 goals. His quick scoring in the first period set the tone for the Avalanche’s attack.

Artturi Lehkonen also played a big role in Colorado’s victory, scoring two goals — one early in the third period and another on a power play later in the same period. His first goal came just 28 seconds into the third when he deflected a pass from Brent Burns past Lankinen. When Vancouver tied the game again, Lehkonen struck back with another goal, helping Colorado regain control. His performance provided crucial support to MacKinnon and kept the team’s momentum alive.

The Vancouver Canucks fought hard throughout the game and refused to give up. Linus Karlsson opened their scoring midway through the first period with an impressive wrist shot past Mackenzie Blackwood. Kiefer Sherwood tied the game early in the second period after intercepting a turnover. Later, Drew O’Connor and Jake DeBrusk scored key goals that helped Vancouver recover each time Colorado took the lead. Despite their determination, they could not stop Brindley’s overtime winner.

Colorado started strong, taking a 2-0 lead in the opening seven minutes. MacKinnon scored his first goal at 6:41 of the first period with a powerful one-timer from Valeri Nichushkin’s pass. Just 89 seconds later, he struck again with a quick wrist shot that beat Lankinen cleanly. That second goal marked MacKinnon’s 381st career goal, moving him past Peter Stastny for third place in the franchise’s all-time scoring list. Only legends Joe Sakic and Michel Goulet remain ahead of him.

Both goaltenders faced heavy pressure throughout the fast-paced game. Colorado’s Mackenzie Blackwood stopped 29 shots in his second start of the season, keeping his team in the game during critical moments. On the other end, Kevin Lankinen made 27 saves for Vancouver but struggled with rebounds, which led to Brindley’s overtime winner. The goaltending battle was intense, with both sides creating several high-quality scoring chances.

This win marked Colorado’s fifth victory in their last six games. The Avalanche have also earned at least one point in every game during that stretch. The team’s mix of veteran leadership and young energy is paying off, especially with players like Brindley stepping up when needed. Head coach Jared Bednar praised his team’s resilience and offensive balance after the game, noting that the players are showing great chemistry on the ice.

The loss ended the Canucks’ streak of five straight games without a defeat in overtime or shootouts. Despite the loss, Vancouver continues to show strong form this season. Players like Karlsson and DeBrusk remain key contributors to their attack, and their ability to rally back from deficits shows great team spirit. However, defensive turnovers cost them at key moments against a sharp Colorado side.

For Gavin Brindley, this game will be a memorable one. His overtime goal not only gave Colorado an important road win but also proved his growing confidence as a young forward. Assisted by Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon, the goal highlighted teamwork and persistence. The Avalanche will hope this win helps maintain their strong run as they continue to chase the top spot in the standings.