Avalanche lose in Toronto after fallen referee helps set up winning goal

Corey Masisak, The Denver Post on Mar 19, 2025

Published in Hockey

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TORONTO — Kelly Sutherland got his name in the paper, which is something no NHL referee ever wants.

Sutherland earned an ignominious assist on the game-winning goal early in the third period Wednesday night as the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Colorado Avalanche, 2-1, at Scotiabank Arena.

The Avs were on the power play when Maple Leafs defenseman Simon Benoit sent the puck toward the Colorado end. Sutherland had stumbled in the neutral zone and it hit him instead. The Avalanche’s top unit was in the middle of heading to the bench for a change, and that led to a very unexpected short-handed 2-on-1 that Leafs forward Steven Lorentz converted at 2:53 of the final period.

Sutherland’s ill-timed fall would have just been a funny footnote had Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll not been fantastic, stopping 38 shots, including a few Grade-A chances as the Avs chased an equalizer.

The Avs entered this game on a nine-game point streak (8-0-1) and with the third-best points percentage in the NHL since trading Mikko Rantanen for Martin Necas and Jack Drury on Jan. 24.

Both teams scored on the power play, then Toronto collected its gift from the hockey gods while shorthanded. The Avalanche controlled play for long stretches, particularly at even strength.

Auston Matthews had two quality looks in the opening seconds of the middle period with Toronto on the power play. He eventually scored 28 seconds in, but it was on a lucky bounce.

Matthews tried to center the puck from near the goal line. It deflected off Devon Toews’ stick and knuckled over Mackenzie Blackwood’s left shoulder.

Colorado native Brandon Carlo took a penalty 80 seconds later, and the Avalanche capitalized. Nathan MacKinnon backhanded a pass from the left circle to Valeri Nichushkin in the slot for a one-timer at 2:48 of the second.

It was Nichushkin’s 18th goal in 31 games this season — a 47-goal pace over a full season. MacKinnon pushed his NHL-leading point total to 104. His 77 assists are 11 more than anyone, and the reigning MVP would be 10th in the league in points even if he had zero goals this season.

Avs coach Jared Bednar hinted at potentially tinkering with his forward lines down the stretch earlier in the week, and he made some significant changes during this contest. He put Nichushkin and Brock Nelson on a line with MacKinnon, which shifted Charlie Coyle up to the second line between Necas and Artturi Lehkonen. The new-look third unit became Drury between Ross Colton and Jonathan Drouin. Parker Kelly moved back to the middle on the fourth line, with Joel Kiviranta and Logan O’Connor.

Footnote

Before the game, Bednar said defenseman Josh Manson (upper body) will miss at least three more weeks. He said it’s possible, but not probable, that Manson will play again during the regular season.