Johnston's record-setting starter goal came off the opening faceoff, when he shot from the immediate left of the net. The 21-year-old forward already in his 43rd career playoff game was skating toward the back wall and passing the red line when he took the shot that ricocheted off Blackwood.

The Colorado Avalanche are hopeful that a Game 6 home game on Thursday night, May 1, will lead them to victory and push the best-of-seven series to a deciding game.