The third period again proved to be Colorado’s undoing on Tuesday night as the Avalanche surrendered three goals in the final frame en route to a 4-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues at Pepsi Center. Over their last three games, all losses, Colorado has allowed an astounding 12 goals in the third period.
John Mitchell put Colorado up early with a nifty shot off the post in the first period. Patrik Berglund evened things up in the second with his first of two goals on the night. The Blues’ Jake Allen stopped 20 shots in the first two frames, including several open looks for Colorado. Calvin Pickard matched Allen, including stopping a crucial shorthanded breakaway by Jaden Schwartz. Then, as has been the case too often of late, the flood gates opened in the third period.
Magnus Paajarvi broke the tie just a half-second after Colorado had killed an interference penalty. Schwartz would add another a few minutes later, punching it in after Erik Johnson failed to clear a rebound. Mark Barberio cut the St. Louis lead to one at the 14:50 mark, but that was as close as Colorado would come. Berglund added an empty-netter to double up the Avs and hand Colorado their 49th loss in regulation this season.
Colorado next plays host to Edmonton as the first leg of a home-and-home with the Oilers. They meet at Pepsi Center on Thursday before traveling to Rogers Place on Saturday.
