5 takeaways from the Avalanche’s 4-1 victory at Montreal

MONTREAL — The Avalanche soundly defeated a struggling Original Six franchise Thursday after getting pummeled by a streaking one on Wednesday in Toronto. Calgary natives Cale Makar (game-winning goal) and Logan O’Connor (shorthanded assist) made key plays in the Avalanche’s 4-1 triumph against the Canadiens, a night after losing 8-3 to the Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena.

Five takeaways from the Bell Centre:

JoJo makes good. Goalie Jonas Johansson was asked if he could regroup from Wednesday’s shellacking — he allowed all eight goals on 41 shots — and feel good about himself in preparing for Thursday. He told coach Jared Bednar he was ready to go and the 26-year-old Swede generally played well, only allowing a power-play goal on 20 shots.

Johansson’s 4.50 goals-against average in the two games still hurts but he finished 1-1 in Darcy Kuemper’s surprise absence. Kuemper, who presumably suffered his upper-body injury in Wednesday’s morning skate in Toronto, will remain with the team and be further evaluated. After Thursday’s game, Bednar said Kuemper could be out two days or two months — which may suggest he suffered a concussion.

Makar the magician. Defenseman Cale Makar had the game-winning goal — his 10th tally in just 18 games with the Avs this season. He’s tied with winger Mikko Rantanen for most goals on the team and ranks first among all NHL D-men. Makar is already just two goals shy of his career-high of 12, set during his rookie campaign of 2019-20 (57 games).

Makar reached 10 goals quicker than any other Avalanche defenseman in club history. The previous record was 33 games, held by Rob Blake (2001-02) and Sandis Ozolinsh (1996-97).

The best offensive blueline. The Avalanche arguably has the NHL’s most talented defensive corps — particularly with Bo Byram in the lineup — but one thing is for certain: No NHL team has produced more goals from its D-men than the Avs (22).

Colorado is dangerous up front and relatively lethal from the back end. There’s no argument there.

Old man EJ. Defenseman Erik Johnson, 33, played in his 800th career NHL regular-season game, becoming the 39th American-born defenseman in league history to reach the milestone. He’s also the first defenseman from the 2006 draft class in which he was selected No. 1 overall.

Captain Landeskog. Left winger and team captain Gabe Landeskog had the Avs’ fourth goal to extend his points streak to six games, a stretch where he has eight points. Landeskog might have also slightly touched the puck on Makar’s goal, and he seemed to take credit for the tally, but replays were inconclusive that he touched it. Still, he’s leading by example.

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