Russian winger Valeri Nichushkin can finally relax.
The first-year Avalanche player will no longer worry about his goals drought reaching triple digits.
Nichushkin scored his first goal in 92 games Saturday night to give the Avs a chance to beat visiting Toronto. His goal early in the third period cut Colorado’s deficit to 4-3; the Avs were unable to produce the equalizer and lost 5-3 after the Leafs scored an empty-net goal with one second left.
Nichushkin, 24, said his 91-game goals drought has been the “hardest time in my life.” His previous goal was with the Dallas Stars on March 4, 2016.