The Colorado Avalanche did a good job of neutralizing Calgary Flames stars Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan and Elias Lindholm in Game 1. Only Lindholm got a point of that trio, an assist.
Unfortunately, they were less successful with shutting down known pest Matthew Tkachuk.
Here’s how former MHS editor Austin Manak described the situation:
Tkachuk’s night:
-baited EJ into penalty
-physically neutralized Girard
-forecheck destroying Avs breakout
-PP tip goal— Austin Manak (@Cottstigan) April 12, 2019
That’s right, he got Avs defenseman Erik Johnson to cross check him in the face.