Entering the third period, the situation felt as bleak as a lead can feel.
The Avalanche were up 2-1 with a prospect in net, having been outscored 12-4 in the last 11 third periods, and having scored only one goal without an empty net during that stretch. They were also 0-for-3 on the power play, adding to the feeling that goals would be difficult to find.
But Valeri Nichushkin and Bo Byram quenched the concerns with critical power play goals, giving Colorado a 4-1 win Saturday in St. Louis — one day after the Blues traded away captain Ryan O’Reilly.